# Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2023

This bill is Congress's response to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist who was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The U.S. intelligence community concluded that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince approved the operation to kill him. The bill aims to hold Saudi Arabia accountable by restricting certain military sales and requiring the government to monitor whether Saudi officials are targeting dissidents living in America.

The main action is a pause on selling weapons and military equipment to Saudi Arabia's security and intelligence agencies. For the first four months after the bill becomes law, the U.S. cannot sell or transfer any defense articles, services, or equipment to Saudi intelligence, internal security, or law enforcement agencies. After that initial period, sales can resume every four months, but only if the President certifies that Saudi Arabia hasn't engaged in forced repatriation or killing of dissidents abroad, hasn't unjustly imprisoned Americans or permanent residents, and hasn't tortured detainees. If the President can't make that certification, the weapons sales stay blocked. There are exceptions for equipment used to defend Saudi territory or protect American military personnel stationed there, and the President can waive these restrictions if he determines it's vital to national security—though he must notify Congress 15 days in advance with a detailed explanation.

The bill also requires several government reports within specific timeframes. The President must report on whether Saudi officials engaged in a pattern of intimidation or harassment against Khashoggi or other individuals in the U.S., and whether American-made weapons were used in such activities. The government must also investigate whether Saudi diplomats have used their official credentials or embassy facilities to monitor or harass Saudi dissidents living in America, and if they find evidence of this, they must close Saudi diplomatic facilities until the behavior stops. Additionally, intelligence agencies must report on whether they properly warned Khashoggi about threats to his life before his death. All these restrictions and requirements expire after three years unless Congress extends them.

Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2023

Connolly, Gerald E.

Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2023This bill imposes temporary limits on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and requires various reports and actions related to the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi.The President may not transfer or authorize for export certain defense articles or services to Saudi Arabia for 120 days after this bill's enactment. The prohibition shall remain in effect for up to three years unless the President periodically certifies to Congress that Saudi Arabia has not conducted (1) forced repatriation, intimidation, or killing of dissidents in other countries; (2) unjust imprisonment in Saudi Arabia of U.S. citizens or lawful aliens; or (3) torture of detainees in custody of the government of Saudi Arabia.The President shall certify to Congress that individuals with Saudi diplomatic credentials are not using such credentials to track or harass Saudi nationals in the United States. If the President does not make such a certification, the President shall close at least one&nbsp;Saudi diplomatic or consular facility in the United States until the certification is&nbsp;made.The bill requires reports to Congress on (1) whether any Saudi officials have engaged in a consistent pattern of harassment against any individual in the United States, and (2) whether&nbsp;the intelligence community fulfilled its duty to warn Khashoggi of the threats to his life.