Text of Senate Amendment 6146

On 2026-06-24, Senator Christopher A. Coons (D-DE) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6146" in the Senate.

Text of Senate Amendment 6146

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3339-S3340] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6146. Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. SENATE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY COMMISSION. (a) Findings.--The Senate finds the following: (1) The Senate Human Rights Caucus, which was founded in 2014, and is currently co-chaired by Senator Tillis and Senator Coons, has created an outlet and opportunity to establish a formalized forum for human rights discussion and engagement in the Senate. (2) The Senate Human Rights Caucus has brought together critical thinkers and first-hand experts on issues affecting human rights throughout the world to better inform the actions of Congress. (3) By establishing a commission in the Senate to put testimony regarding human rights and democracy in the record, all of the Federal Government and the public can access this information and insight. (4) The Senate Human Rights and Democracy Commission would continue the work of the Senate Human Rights Caucus and elevate the need to sustain and support the fundamental access to human rights across the world. (b) Commission Establishment.-- (1) In general.--There is established in the Senate the Senate Human Rights and Democracy Commission (in this section referred to as the ``Commission''). (2) Duties.--The Commission shall-- (A) serve as a forum for bipartisan discussion of international human rights issues, democracy issues, and promotion of internationally recognized human rights as enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (B) monitor the state of human rights across the world and raise awareness on critical human rights violations through conducting regular briefings hearings, and private roundtables; (C) maintain records of all meetings and activities; and (D) collaborate with congressional committees and other congressional entities (including the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission), the executive branch, human rights organizations, civil society organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and think tanks to promote human rights initiatives within the Senate. (3) Limitations.--The Commission shall not-- (A) have legislative jurisdiction; (B) have authority to take legislative action on any bill or resolution; or (C) encroach upon the jurisdiction of any standing, select, or special committee of the Senate. (4) Membership.-- (A) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 members of the Senate, who shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the President of the Senate. (B) Selection.--The President of the Senate shall-- (i) after consultation with the majority leader, select 5 members from the majority party of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be designated as a co-chairperson in accordance with paragraph (5)(A)(i); and (ii) after consultation with the minority leader, select 5 members from the minority party of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be designated as a co-chairperson in accordance with paragraph (5)(A)(ii). (C) Ex officio members.--The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate shall be ex officio, nonvoting members of the Commission. (D) Term.--The term of a member shall end on the last day of the Congress during which the member is appointed by the President of the Senate, unless the member ceases being a member of the Senate, leaves the Commission, or is removed. (E) Vacancy.-- (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. (ii) Resignation.--A member of the Commission wishing to resign from the Commission shall submit a written notification to the President of the Senate. (5) Co-chairpersons of the commission.-- (A) In general.--Two members of the Commission shall be appointed to serve as co-chairpersons of the Commission, as follows: (i) One co-chairperson shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the majority leader of the Senate. (ii) One co-chairperson shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the minority leader of the Senate. (B) Term.--The term of a member as a co-chairperson of the Commission shall end on the last day of the Congress during which the member is appointed as a co-chairperson, unless the member ceases being a member of the Senate, leaves the Commission, resigns from the position of co-chairperson, or is removed. (C) Publication.--Appointments under this paragraph shall be printed in the Congressional Record. (D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of co- chairperson of the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. (c) Commission Staff.-- (1) Compensation and expenses.-- (A) In general.--The Commission is authorized, from funds made available under subsection (d), to-- (i) employ such staff in the manner and at a rate not to exceed that allowed for employees of a committee of the Senate under section 105(e)(3) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575(e)(3)); and (ii) incur such expenses as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties and functions. (B) Expenses.-- [[Page S3340]] (i) In general.--Payments made under this subsection for receptions, meals, and food-related expenses shall be authorized only for actual expenses incurred by the Commission in the course of conducting its official duties and functions. (ii) Treatment of payments.--Amounts received as reimbursement for expenses described in clause (i) shall not be reported as income, and the expenses so reimbursed shall not be allowed as a deduction under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (2) Designation of professional staff.-- (A) In general.--Each co-chairperson of the Commission may designate 1 professional staff member. (B) Compensation of senate employees.--In the case of the compensation of any professional staff member designated under subparagraph (A) who is an employee of a Member of the Senate or of a committee of the Senate and who has been designated to perform services for the Commission, the professional staff member shall continue to be paid by the Member or committee, as the case may be, but the account from which the professional staff member is paid shall be reimbursed for the services of the professional staff member (including agency contributions when appropriate) out of funds made available under subsection (c). (C) Duties.--Each professional staff member designated under subparagraph (A) shall-- (i) serve all members of the Commission; and (ii) carry out such other functions as the co-chairperson designating the professional staff member may specify. (d) Payment of Expenses.-- (1) In general.--The expenses of the Commission shall be paid from the Contingent Fund of the Senate, out of the account of Miscellaneous Items, upon vouchers approved jointly by the co-chairpersons (except that vouchers shall not be required for the disbursement of salaries of employees who are paid at an annual rate of pay). (2) Amounts available.--For any fiscal year, the amount identified as necessary shall be expended for employees and expenses. (e) Administrative Support.--The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate may approve the use of Senate resources to support the Commission in carrying out official duties. (f) Data Privacy.--The Commission is deemed to be a Senate office for purposes of section 10 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 (2 U.S.C. 6628) and all Senate data, as defined in such section, of the Commission shall be subject to the protections provided to Senate data under such section. (g) Location of Commission.--The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate may lease office space for the activities of the Commission in the District of Columbia. (h) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have force or effect on January 1, 2029. ______