Deploring recent actions by the government of Serbia that restrict freedom of the press and freedom of expression and prevent the Soros Foundation from continuing its democracy-building and humanitarian activities on its territory and calling upon the government of Serbia to remove immediately restrictions against freedom of the press and the operation of the Soros Foundation.

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E376-377)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 12, 1996

Deplores the recent actions of the Government of Serbia that restrict freedom of the press and freedom of expression, that hamper civic organizations and democratic opposition groups, and that revoked the legal registration of the Soros Foundation. Calls upon such Government to remove those restrictions and to restore the right of the Foundation to operate fully in Serbia. Commends the Foundation for its past activities in support of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and the development of democratic institutions. Declares that U.S. economic and other assistance for Serbia and U.S. support for full participation of Serbia in international financial institutions should be conditioned on the full functioning of independent news media, civic organizations, and democratic opposition groups. Requests the President and the Secretary of State to convey these views to appropriate officials of Serbia.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-12] · D–CA

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

17 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.

Mar 19, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E376-377)
Mar 14, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E360)
Mar 12, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Mar 12, 1996
Introduced in House
Mar 12, 1996
Introduced in House
Feb 28, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1399)

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in House · Mar 12, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.378 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.378, 104th Congress: Deploring recent actions by the government of Serbia that restrict freedom of the press and freedom of expression and prevent the Soros Foundation from continuing its democracy-building and humanitarian activities on its territory and calling upon the government of Serbia to remove immediately restrictions against freedom of the press and the operation of the Soros Foundation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-resolution/378

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-03-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hres378/BILLS-104hres378ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:33:24Z. 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.378 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.378 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.378, 104th Congress: Deploring recent actions by the government of Serbia that restrict freedom of the press and freedom of expression and prevent the Soros Foundation from continuing its democracy-building and humanitarian activities on its territory and calling upon the government of Serbia to remove immediately restrictions against freedom of the press and the operation of the Soros Foundation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-resolution/378

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-03-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hres378/BILLS-104hres378ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:33:24Z. 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.378 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.378 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.378, 104th Congress: Deploring recent actions by the government of Serbia that restrict freedom of the press and freedom of expression and prevent the Soros Foundation from continuing its democracy-building and humanitarian activities on its territory and calling upon the government of Serbia to remove immediately restrictions against freedom of the press and the operation of the Soros Foundation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-resolution/378

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-03-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hres378/BILLS-104hres378ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:33:24Z. 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.378 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.378 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.378, 104th Congress: Deploring recent actions by the government of Serbia that restrict freedom of the press and freedom of expression and prevent the Soros Foundation from continuing its democracy-building and humanitarian activities on its territory and calling upon the government of Serbia to remove immediately restrictions against freedom of the press and the operation of the Soros Foundation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-resolution/378

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-03-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hres378/BILLS-104hres378ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:33:24Z. 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.378 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.