PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 17, 1997
Laogai Slave Labor Products Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for monitoring by the U.S. Customs Service and the Department of State of the exportation of slave labor products by China. Directs the Commissioner of Customs and the Secretary of State each to report annually to the Congress on manufacturing and exportation of slave labor products in China. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, since China has substantially frustrated the purposes of the 1992 Memorandum of Understanding with the United States on Prison Labor, the President should immediately commence negotiations to replace the current Memorandum with one providing for effective monitoring of forced labor there, without restrictions on which prison labor camps international monitors may visit.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2195.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 419 - 2, 1 Present (Roll no. 582).
House roll call 582 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 419 - 2, 1 Present (Roll no. 582).
House roll call 582 · Individual votesOn motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 202 (Roll no. 581). (consideration: CR H10093)
House roll call 581 · Individual votesMotion to appeal the ruling of the chair tabled.
Mr. Crane moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
Mr. Taylor (MS) appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
Mr. Crane raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Crane stated that the amendment was outside the scope of the bill and not germane. Sustained by the Chair. (consideration: CR H10091-10092)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate.
Mr. Taylor (MS) moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 302, the House proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188 and H.R. 967. Providing for the sequential consideration in the House of the following measures: H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188, H.R. 967, H.R. 2570, H.R. 2386, H.R. 2605, H.R. 2647. One hour of general debate is provided for each measure. Specified amendments are in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 302. (consideration: CR H10080-10094)
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 302 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188 and H.R. 967. Providing for the sequential consideration in the House of the following measures: H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188, H.R. 967, H.R. 2570, H.R. 2386, H.R. 2605, and H.R. 2647. One hour of general debate is provided for each measure. Specified amendments are in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 212.
Committee on International Relations discharged.
Committee on International Relations discharged.
House Committee on International Relations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 31, 1997.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 105-366, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 105-366, Part I.
Subcommittee on Trade Discharged.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Executive Comment Requested from State.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Referred to House International Relations
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, 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.
Referred to House Ways and Means
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2195 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.
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