November 30, 2001
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a compromise version of the Clean Diamonds Act (HR 2722). The vote was 408 to 6. The bill passed on November 28 under "suspension-of-rules," which requires a two-thirds majority vote with no attached amendments. Suspension-of-rules bills are often reserved for non-controversial legislation.
The compromise version of HR 2722 gives the president authority to impose sanctions against a country that does not have a system of controls on rough diamonds if he deems it a matter of national security. The new bill also gives the president the authority to block shipments of jewelry and polished gems if there is credible evidence that they were made with conflict diamonds.
The Bush administration objected to a portion in the original version of the bill that mandated automatic sanctions for countries lacking a system of controls as well as a stipulation that diamond jewelry be subjected to the same international controls as loose diamonds. The administration said the automatic trigger for sanctions could hamper efforts to build an international coalition against terrorism.
"Today's vote reflects the fact that this bill is a compromise - a first step that is supported by House leaders, the Bush Administration, the diamond and jewelry industries, and many nongovernmental organizations," said bill sponsor Rep. Tony Hall (D-Ohio). "With their votes today, though, America's elected representatives also are accurately mirroring the sentiment of American consumers."
The Bush administration, currently in talks with members of congress, supports the new bill, and the president is likely to sign it. Previous versions of the bill were not endorsed by the administration and were susceptible to a presidential veto.
A companion bill must now pass through the senate, then go to a congressional committee for approval before being sent back to congress for final passage. A bill could be on the president's desk for his signature by the end of the year.
Industry organizations that lobbied for the bill include Jewelers of America (JA), Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), the American Gem Society (AGS), and the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA). Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) also worked closely with the industry to come up with legislation that would be agreeable to all concerned.
JA, in particular, organized members from around the country to lobby congress. At least 100 letters were sent out. JA also targeted specific retailers in key districts to contact their congressional leaders.
Click here for the full text of the passed House version of the Clean Diamond Trade Act.
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