Expressing the sense of Congress regarding oppression by the Government of the People's Republic of China of Falun Gong in the United States and in China.

Bill: 108-hconres-304
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2003-10-16 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: China
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal investigation
Detention of persons
Diplomacy
Diplomats
Dissenters
East Asia
Federal-local relations
Foreign agents
Freedom of association
Freedom of speech
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
Immigration
Law
Local officials
Mediation
Political persecution
Political prisoners
Political violence
Religion
Religious liberty
Treaties

Summary:
action_date: 2003-10-16
text: Calls for the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to: (1) stop interfering in the exercise of religious and political freedoms within the United States, such as the right to practice Falun Gong; (2) cease using diplomatic missions in the United States to spread falsehoods about Falun Gong; (3) release prisoners of conscience; (4) end the harassment, detention, physical abuse, and imprisonment of individuals who are exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of religion, of expression, and of association as stated in the PRC Constitution; and (5) demonstrate its willingness to abide by international standards of such freedoms by ceasing to restrict them. 
Calls on the President to take such actions as: (1) issuing a formal protest about repeated Chinese Government human rights violations to the Chinese Foreign Ministry; and (2) working more closely with Chinese human rights activists to identify Chinese authorities who have been personally responsible for acts of violence and persecution in China. 
Urges the Attorney General to investigate reports that Chinese consular officials in the United States have committed illegal acts while attempting to intimidate or inappropriately influence Falun Gong practitioners or local elected officials, and determine an appropriate legal response. 
Calls on local government officials in the United States to recognize and support organizations and individuals that share the goals of the local community, including Falun Gong practitioners, and report to Congress, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State any incidents of pressure or harassment by Chinese agents.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Calls for the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to: (1) stop interfering in the exercise of religious and political freedoms within the United States, such as the right to practice Falun Gong; (2) cease using diplomatic missions in the United States to spread falsehoods about Falun Gong; (3) release prisoners of conscience; (4) end the harassment, detention, physical abuse, and imprisonment of individuals who are exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of religion, of expression, and of association as stated in the PRC Constitution; and (5) demonstrate its willingness to abide by international standards of such freedoms by ceasing to restrict them. 
 
Calls on the President to take such actions as: (1) issuing a formal protest about repeated Chinese Government human rights violations to the Chinese Foreign Ministry; and (2) working more closely with Chinese human rights activists to identify Chinese authorities who have been personally responsible for acts of violence and persecution in China. 
 
Urges the Attorney General to investigate reports that Chinese consular officials in the United States have committed illegal acts while attempting to intimidate or inappropriately influence Falun Gong practitioners or local elected officials, and determine an appropriate legal response. 
 
Calls on local government officials in the United States to recognize and support organizations and individuals that share the goals of the local community, including Falun Gong practitioners, and report to Congress, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State any incidents of pressure or harassment by Chinese agents. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7994-7995)
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7994-7995)
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 304.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7994-7997)
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
action_date: 2004-06-24
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2003-10-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2003-10-16
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-10-16
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-10-16
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-10-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-10-16
text: Introduced in House