S. Res. 121 establishes a Senate Human Rights Commission as a formal bipartisan body to discuss and monitor international human rights issues, building on the existing Senate Human Rights Caucus founded in 2014. The Commission will be composed of ten senators (five from each party) with two co-chairs, one appointed by each party's leader, and will conduct briefings, hearings, and roundtables while collaborating with congressional committees, executive agencies, and human rights organizations to promote awareness of global human rights violations. The Commission is explicitly limited in scope—it cannot take legislative action, pass bills, or override the jurisdiction of existing Senate committees, serving instead as an informational and advocacy forum. The resolution provides funding of up to $200,000 per fiscal year from the Senate's Contingent Fund for staff salaries and operational expenses, with the Commission automatically ending on January 1, 2029 unless Congress takes action to extend it.
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