Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the 2005 presidential and parliamentary elections in Egypt.

Bill: 109-hconres-284
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2005-10-27 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Egypt
Election administration
Election fraud
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Government ownership
Human rights
Law
Middle East and North Africa
Monopolies
Newspapers
Parliamentary government
Political parties
Printing
Privatization
Public demonstrations
Public meetings
Right of assembly
Rule of law
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2005-10-27
text: 
 Recognizes the importance of the September 2005 presidential election as a first step toward greater openness and political reforms in Egypt.
 
Expresses concern over the lack of international election monitoring and irregularities during such election.
 
Calls on the government of Egypt, during the 2005 parliamentary elections, to: (1) authorize the judiciary to supervise the election process; (2) authorize the presence of accredited representatives of all competing parties and independent candidates at polling stations and during the vote-counting; and (3) allow local and international election monitors full access and accreditation. 
 
Calls on the government of Egypt to: (1) separate the National Democratic Party apparatus from the operations of government, divest all government holdings in Egyptian media, and end the government newspaper monopoly; and (2) repeal the 1981 emergency law and, in the development of any future anti-terrorism legislation, allow constitutional political activities.

action_date: 2005-12-19
text: 
Recognizes the importance of the September 2005 presidential election as a potential first step toward greater openness and political reforms in Egypt.
 
 Expresses concern over the reported irregularities during the 2005 Egyptian presidential election and parliamentary elections, including interference by Egyptian security forces, and the apparent failure of the government of Egypt to ensure free elections. 
 
Recognizes that the development of a democratically-elected representative and empowered Egyptian national parliament is a needed fundamental reform.
 
Calls on the government of Egypt to: (1) address violations of the fundamental freedoms of the Egyptian people and hold those responsible for such violations accountable; (2) separate the National Democratic Party apparatus from the operations of government, divest all government holdings in Egyptian media, and end the government newspaper monopoly; (3) repeal the 1977 emergency law, and in the development of any future anti-terrorism legislation allow constitutional political activities; (4) ensure for future elections judicial supervision of the election process, the presence of international monitors, and the presence of representatives of all competing parties and independent candidates at polling stations and during the vote-counting; and (5) not use the strength of the Islamist opposition in Egypt to justify the government's failure to comply with its international human rights obligations or to undertake the reforms to which it has committed.
 
Urges the President of the United States to take into account the progress achieved by the government of Egypt in meeting the goals of this resolution when determining U.S.-Egyptian diplomatic and assistance considerations. 
 
Urges the President and other U.S. government officers to clearly express the disappointment of the people and government of the United States concerning the government of Egypt's behavior during the 2005 presidential and parliamentary elections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-01-27
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2005-12-19
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2005-12-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-12-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 22 (Roll no. 667). (text: CR 12/18/2005 H12179-12180)
action_date: 2005-12-19
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 22 (Roll no. 667).(text: CR 12/18/2005 H12179-12180)
action_date: 2005-12-19
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H12243-12244)
action_date: 2005-12-18
text: At 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.
action_date: 2005-12-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 284.
action_date: 2005-12-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H12179-12182)
action_date: 2005-12-18
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2005-11-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2005-11-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2005-11-15
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2005-11-15
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2005-11-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia.
action_date: 2005-10-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2005-10-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-10-27
text: Introduced in House