Condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on freedom of the press in Syria.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .

H.Res.629 through Congress

H.Res.629 is considered only in the House.

HouseApr 19, 2012IntroducedOfficial record

Major milestones in the imported record. See all actions.

Separate related Senate measures (1)

These are different measures identified as related by Congress.gov. Their text and outcomes may differ; they are not the Senate stage of H.Res.629.

Related Senate measure: S.Res.391 A resolution condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the Senate on freedom of the press in Syria.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 19, 2012

Calls on Syria to: (1) open the country to independent and foreign journalists and end its media blackout; and (2) release all detained journalists, videographers, and bloggers.

Condemns: (1) Syria's intimidation and violence towards journalists, videographers, and bloggers; and (2) nations that assist Syria's media repression.

Pays tribute to the journalists who have lost their lives while reporting on the conflict in Syria and commends the courage of journalists who continue to operate in harm's way.

Supports the people of Syria seeking a free flow of accurate news and other forms of information.

Reaffirms the centrality of press freedom to U.S. efforts to support democracy around the world.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29] · D–CA

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

3 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 7, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .
Apr 19, 2012
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Apr 19, 2012
Introduced in House
Apr 19, 2012
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in House · Apr 19, 2012 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

SRES 391 · A resolution condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the Senate on freedom of the press in Syria.

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.629 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.629, 112th Congress: Condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on freedom of the press in Syria.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/629

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres629/BILLS-112hres629ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:24:11Z. 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.629 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.629 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.629, 112th Congress: Condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on freedom of the press in Syria.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/629

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres629/BILLS-112hres629ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:24:11Z. 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.629 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.629 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.629, 112th Congress: Condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on freedom of the press in Syria.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/629

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres629/BILLS-112hres629ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:24:11Z. 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.629 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.629 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.629, 112th Congress: Condemning violence by the Government of Syria against journalists, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on freedom of the press in Syria.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/629

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-04-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hres629/BILLS-112hres629ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T20:24:11Z. 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.629 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.