Condemning Dalit untouchability, the practice of birth-descent discrimination against Dalit people, which is widely practiced in India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora, and other South Asian nations, and calling on these countries to recognize the human rights of the Dalit people and end all forms of untouchability within their borders.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 18, 2015

Condemns the practice of untouchability and the discriminatory treatment of the Dalits in South Asia and the Asian diaspora.

Calls on the governments of India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora, and other South Asian nations to: (1) end all forms of untouchability and discrimination of the Dalit people, and (2) ensure respect for internationally recognized human rights for these minority groups.

Demands that the international community put pressure on the governments of nations that still practice Dalit untouchability to end this practice and protect the fundamental rights of all Dalits within their borders.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · D–DC

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

2 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 20, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
May 20, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Mar 18, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mar 18, 2015
Introduced in House
Mar 18, 2015
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 · Mar 18, 2015 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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 23, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.158 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.Res.158, 114th Congress: Condemning Dalit untouchability, the practice of birth-descent discrimination against Dalit people, which is widely practiced in India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora, and other South Asian nations, and calling on these countries to recognize the human rights of the Dalit people and end all forms of untouchability within their borders.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/158

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres158/BILLS-114hres158ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. 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.158 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.158 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.Res.158, 114th Congress: Condemning Dalit untouchability, the practice of birth-descent discrimination against Dalit people, which is widely practiced in India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora, and other South Asian nations, and calling on these countries to recognize the human rights of the Dalit people and end all forms of untouchability within their borders.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/158

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres158/BILLS-114hres158ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. 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.158 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.158 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.Res.158, 114th Congress: Condemning Dalit untouchability, the practice of birth-descent discrimination against Dalit people, which is widely practiced in India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora, and other South Asian nations, and calling on these countries to recognize the human rights of the Dalit people and end all forms of untouchability within their borders.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/158

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres158/BILLS-114hres158ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. 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.158 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.158 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.158, 114th Congress: Condemning Dalit untouchability, the practice of birth-descent discrimination against Dalit people, which is widely practiced in India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora, and other South Asian nations, and calling on these countries to recognize the human rights of the Dalit people and end all forms of untouchability within their borders.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/158

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2015-03-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres158/BILLS-114hres158ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-23T13:32:43Z. 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.158 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.