Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continued gross violations of political, civil, and human rights of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, calling on the Government of Syria to immediately and unconditionally release prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners, and for other purposes.

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 31, 2008

Condemns: (1) the gross violations of the political, civil, and human rights of the Syrian people by the government of the Syrian Arab Republic; and (2) the arrest and unjust conviction and imprisonment of prisoners of conscience.

Calls on the government of Syria to end the torture and mistreatment of prisoners and to lift the state of emergency that has been imposed for over 44 years.

Calls on the President and the Secretary of State to: (1) consider pursuing further actions at the United Nations (UN) to draw attention to Syria's deplorable record on human rights and the plight of Syrian political prisoners and prisoners of conscience; and (2) make political, civil, and human rights a priority in bilateral relations with Syria.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5] · D–NY

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

0 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.

Jul 31, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jul 31, 2008
Introduced in House
Jul 31, 2008
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 31, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Feb 7, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.Res.1398 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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Discuss H.Res.1398, 110th Congress: Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continued gross violations of political, civil, and human rights of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, calling on the Government of Syria to immediately and unconditionally release prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/1398

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres1398/BILLS-110hres1398ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:34Z. 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.Res.1398 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.Res.1398 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.

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Discuss H.Res.1398, 110th Congress: Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continued gross violations of political, civil, and human rights of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, calling on the Government of Syria to immediately and unconditionally release prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/1398

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres1398/BILLS-110hres1398ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:34Z. 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.Res.1398 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.Res.1398 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.

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Discuss H.Res.1398, 110th Congress: Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continued gross violations of political, civil, and human rights of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, calling on the Government of Syria to immediately and unconditionally release prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/1398

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres1398/BILLS-110hres1398ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:34Z. 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.Res.1398 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.Res.1398 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.Res.1398, 110th Congress: Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the continued gross violations of political, civil, and human rights of the Syrian people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, calling on the Government of Syria to immediately and unconditionally release prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/1398

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2008-07-31.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres1398/BILLS-110hres1398ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T11:39:34Z. 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.Res.1398 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.