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H.Res.179 / 108th Congress

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the systematic human rights violations in Cuba committed by the Castro regime, calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, and supporting respect for basic human rights and free elections in Cuba.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 7, 2003

Condemns the brutal crackdown of the Cuban Government on the island's peaceful pro-democracy movement.Calls for the immediate release of all Cuban political prisoners.Supports the right of the Cuban people to exercise fundamental political and civil liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, movement, press, and the right to multiparty elections.Calls on the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, to work with the member countries of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to ensure a resolution that includes the strongest possible condemnation of the current crackdown of dissidents and of the gross human rights violations committed by the Cuban Government.Calls on the Latin American and Caribbean group (GRULAC) at the Commission to exclude Cuba from its slate of candidates for the Commission, and urges all member nations to oppose renewing Cuba's membership on the Commission until the Government of Cuba adheres to international human rights standards, such as those delineated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [R-FL-21] · R–FL

Committees

  • Foreign Affairs Committee
15 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  2. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0, 11 Present (Roll no. 117). (text: CR H2887-2888)

    House roll call 117 · Individual votes
  3. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0, 11 Present (Roll no. 117).(text: CR H2887-2888)

    House roll call 117 · Individual votes
  4. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2910-2911)

  5. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 179.

  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2887-2895)

  8. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

  9. Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

  10. Introduced in House

  11. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.179 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.179 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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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.179 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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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.179 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.

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