H.Con.Res.36: Establishing the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 28, 2021

This concurrent resolution establishes the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to investigate and report to Congress and the executive branch specified information related to the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) pandemic.

This report must include

the origins and causes of the coronavirus;

certain coronavirus-related policies, decisions, and activities by the government of China;

accountability for policies, decisions, and activities related to influencing the World Health Organization's response to the coronavirus outbreak;

vulnerabilities of the U.S. domestic and global supply chain to a global pandemic due to reliance on Chinese manufacturing;

information related to lessons learned from China's handling of the coronavirus; and

recommended actions the federal government should take in response to China's handling of the coronavirus.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6] · R–KY

Committees

Rules Committee

23 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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

May 28, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
May 28, 2021
Introduced in House
May 28, 2021
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 · May 28, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 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.36 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.36, 117th Congress: Establishing the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/36

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hconres36/BILLS-117hconres36ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:05:08Z. 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.36 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.36 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.36, 117th Congress: Establishing the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/36

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hconres36/BILLS-117hconres36ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:05:08Z. 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.36 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.36 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.36, 117th Congress: Establishing the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/36

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hconres36/BILLS-117hconres36ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:05:08Z. 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.36 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.36 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.36, 117th Congress: Establishing the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/36

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hconres36/BILLS-117hconres36ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:05:08Z. 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.36 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.