Calling for an expedited resolution of all existing child custody cases in which Saudi Arabian subjects are holding United States citizens who are minors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without regard for United States law and calling for the establishment of a permanent treaty or other agreement to govern future child custody disputes between the two countries.

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 25, 2003

Calls for an expedited resolution, including through arbitration, of all existing child custody cases in which Saudi Arabian subjects are holding U.S. citizens who are minors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without regard for U.S. law.

Urges the U.S. Government to seek to enter into a permanent treaty or other agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to govern future child custody disputes between the two countries.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Fossella, Vito [R-NY-13] · R–NY

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 25, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Jul 25, 2003
Introduced in House
Jul 25, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 25, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Con.Res.263 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.263, 108th Congress: Calling for an expedited resolution of all existing child custody cases in which Saudi Arabian subjects are holding United States citizens who are minors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without regard for United States law and calling for the establishment of a permanent treaty or other agreement to govern future child custody disputes between the two countries.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/263

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres263/BILLS-108hconres263ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:18:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Con.Res.263 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Con.Res.263 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.263, 108th Congress: Calling for an expedited resolution of all existing child custody cases in which Saudi Arabian subjects are holding United States citizens who are minors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without regard for United States law and calling for the establishment of a permanent treaty or other agreement to govern future child custody disputes between the two countries.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/263

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres263/BILLS-108hconres263ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:18:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.263 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Con.Res.263 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.263, 108th Congress: Calling for an expedited resolution of all existing child custody cases in which Saudi Arabian subjects are holding United States citizens who are minors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without regard for United States law and calling for the establishment of a permanent treaty or other agreement to govern future child custody disputes between the two countries.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/263

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres263/BILLS-108hconres263ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:18:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.263 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Con.Res.263 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.263, 108th Congress: Calling for an expedited resolution of all existing child custody cases in which Saudi Arabian subjects are holding United States citizens who are minors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without regard for United States law and calling for the establishment of a permanent treaty or other agreement to govern future child custody disputes between the two countries.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/263

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-07-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hconres263/BILLS-108hconres263ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:18:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.263 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.