Bills · 119th Congress · International Affairs

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should prioritize securing the release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai detained by the People’s Republic of China during future engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree · 5/13/26Suspension of the rulesA fast-track House procedure, usually for measures expected to have broad support. Debate is limited to 40 minutes, no amendments can be offered, and it needs a two-thirds vote of members voting — not a simple majority. A yes vote adopts the measure.Rules of the House, Rule XV, clause 1 ↗
Passed
  • Democratic206 Yea · 0 Nay · 6 Not voting
  • Republican208 Yea · 0 Nay · 9 Not voting
  • Independent / Other0 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

This resolution calls upon the President to prioritize the humanitarian release of five specified individuals (Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai) and others unjustly detained by China during future engagements with China's President Xi Jinping.

The resolution also (1) urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to independent legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for these detainees; and (2) reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending political and religious freedom and advocating for the release of those unjustly detained for exercising such fundamental freedoms.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Christopher H. Smith ( Republican · NJ-4)
Cosponsors
3
Introduced
5/7/26
Policy area
International Affairs
Status
5/7/26Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
5/7/26Submitted in House
5/12/26At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5/12/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1259.
5/12/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3372-3375; text: CR H3372)
5/12/26Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
5/13/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5/13/26On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0 (Roll no. 167).
5/13/26Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0 (Roll no. 167).
5/13/26Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3437-3438)