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H.Res.218 / 113th Congress

Calling on the Secretary of State to list the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as a "Country of Particular Concern" with respect to religious freedom.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 16, 2013

Encourages the Department of State to place Vietnam on the list of "Countries of Particular Concern" for particularly severe violations of religious freedom.

Condemns the ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom in Vietnam, including the detention of religious leaders and the long-term imprisonment of individuals engaged in peaceful advocacy.

Calls on Vietnam to lift restrictions on religious freedom, cease all expropriations of church properties, and implement necessary legal and political reforms to protect religious freedom.

Urges the State Department to demonstrate clearly that the expansion of bilateral ties will depend on improvements in religious freedom and related rights.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39] · R–CA

Committees

  • Foreign Affairs Committee
16 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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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.218 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.218 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.218 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.218 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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