•HRES 934 IH 
namo Bay detainee assessment briefs, State Department 
cables, rules of engagement files, and other United States 
military reports; 
Whereas the disclosure of this information promoted public 
transparency through the exposure of the hiring of child 
prostitutes by Defense Department contractors, friendly 
fire incidents, human rights abuses, civilian killings, and 
United States use of psychological warfare; 
Whereas, in 2018, Mr. Assange was charged with one count 
under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) for 
alleged conspiracy to help a United States Army intel-
ligence analyst access Defense Department computers 
without authorization; 
Whereas the charge under the CFAA was despite the fact 
that said intelligence analyst already had access to the 
mentioned computer, that the purported breaching of the 
Defense Department computers was impossible, and that 
there was no proof Mr. Assange had any contact with 
said intelligence analyst; 
Whereas, in 2019, Mr. Assange was charged with an addi-
tional 17 counts under the Espionage Act for alleged ob-
tainment and disclosure of classified national defense in-
formation; 
Whereas no other publisher had ever been prosecuted under 
the Espionage Act prior to these 17 charges; 
Whereas Mr. Assange could face up to 175 years behind bars, 
effectively a death sentence, for these charges; 
Whereas, in 2019, Mr. Assange was arrested by the London 
Metropolitan Police for an outstanding warrant and is 
currently being held at HM Prison Belmarsh while he 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:21 Dec 14, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR934.IH
HR934
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 934 IH 
battles the United States request that the United King-
dom extradite him; 
Whereas the successful prosecution of Mr. Assange under the 
Espionage Act would set a precedent allowing the United 
States to prosecute and imprison journalists for First 
Amendment protected activities, including the obtainment 
and publication of information, something that occurs on 
a regular basis; 
Whereas First Amendment freedom of the press is essential 
to promote public transparency and is a crucial safeguard 
for our Republic; 
Whereas numerous human rights, press freedom, and privacy 
rights advocates and organizations have disclosed their 
sincere and steadfast support for Mr. Assange; and 
Whereas at least 70 Senators and Members of Parliament 
from Australia, a critical United States ally and Mr. 
Assange’s native country, support actions that would 
allow Mr. Assange to return home: Now, therefore be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that— 
(1) regular journalistic activities, including the 
obtainment and publication of information are pro-
tected under the First Amendment of the Constitu-
tion of the United States; 
(2) First Amendment freedom of the press pro-
motes public transparency and is crucial for the 
American Republic; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:21 Dec 14, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR934.IH
HR934
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 934 IH 
(3) the Federal Government ought to drop all 
charges against and attempts to extradite Julian 
Assange; and 
(4) the Federal Government allow Julian 
Assange to return home to his native Australia if he 
so desires. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:21 Dec 14, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR934.IH
HR934
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS