Urging the withdrawal of all Syrian forces from Lebanon, support for free and fair democratic elections in Lebanon, and the development of democratic institutions and safeguards to foster sovereign democratic rule in Lebanon.

Bill: 109-hres-273
Sponsor: Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11]
Introduced: 2005-05-11 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Democracy
Election administration
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
Law
Lebanon
Middle East and North Africa
Military occupation
Military withdrawal
Political prisoners
Rule of law
Separation of powers
Syria
Technical assistance
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2005-05-11
text: 
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Syria should complete its withdrawal of all remaining intelligence and security forces from Lebanon in accordance with United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1559; (2) Lebanon should hold free elections in May 2005; and (3) the United States should aid the Lebanese people to restore the rule of law.
 
States that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support free elections in Lebanon by encouraging international election assistance; (2) urge the development of democratic institutions to foster sovereign democratic rule in Lebanon; and (3) call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and detainees held in Lebanese and Syrian prisons. 

action_date: 2005-05-23
text: 
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Syria should complete its withdrawal of all remaining intelligence and security forces from Lebanon in accordance with United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1559, and Lebanon should allow free access to international monitors verifying compliance with Resolution 1559; (2) Lebanon should hold free elections in May 2005; and (3) the United States should aid the Lebanese people to restore the rule of law.
 
States that it should be U.S. policy to: (1) support free elections in Lebanon by encouraging international election assistance; (2) support a national dialogue that transcends sectarian divisions, and urge the development of democratic institutions to foster sovereign democratic rule in Lebanon; and (3) call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and detainees held in Lebanese and Syrian prisons. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-05-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-05-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3732-3733)
action_date: 2005-05-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3732-3733)
action_date: 2005-05-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 273.
action_date: 2005-05-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3732-3735)
action_date: 2005-05-23
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2005-05-18
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2005-05-18
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2005-05-18
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2005-05-18
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2005-05-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia.
action_date: 2005-05-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2005-05-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-05-11
text: Introduced in House