Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the human rights situation in the People's Republic of China as it relates to China's position in the international community and encouraging the United States, in conjunction with other members of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to work with China to promote the improvement of human rights.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 25, 1997

Urges: (1) the Congress to explore additional legislative vehicles for explicitly expressing congressional concerns about China's serious human rights situation and to work with the President and the Secretary of State to explore areas of agreement and mutual concern; (2) the President and the Secretary to call on the Government of China to take concrete steps to improve human rights, fully abide by its commitments to maintain basic human and civil rights, an independent judiciary, and an elected legislature in Hong Kong after July 1, 1997, cease efforts to repeal provisions of the Bill of Rights Ordinance and reinstate laws which are not in conformance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and (3) the President and the Secretary to sponsor and actively seek support among other member governments for a resolution critical of China's human rights practices at the 53d session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva if it is unable to identify substantial and quantifiable progress by China on such matters.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Porter, John Edward [R-IL-10] · R–IL

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

0 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 3, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Mar 3, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Mar 3, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E357)
Feb 25, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Feb 25, 1997
Introduced in House
Feb 25, 1997
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 · Feb 25, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

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.76 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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Discuss H.Res.76, 105th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the human rights situation in the People's Republic of China as it relates to China's position in the international community and encouraging the United States, in conjunction with other members of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to work with China to promote the improvement of human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-resolution/76

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hres76/BILLS-105hres76ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:24:01Z. 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.76 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.76 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.76, 105th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the human rights situation in the People's Republic of China as it relates to China's position in the international community and encouraging the United States, in conjunction with other members of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to work with China to promote the improvement of human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-resolution/76

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hres76/BILLS-105hres76ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:24:01Z. 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.76 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.76 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.76, 105th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the human rights situation in the People's Republic of China as it relates to China's position in the international community and encouraging the United States, in conjunction with other members of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to work with China to promote the improvement of human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-resolution/76

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hres76/BILLS-105hres76ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:24:01Z. 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.76 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.76 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.76, 105th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the human rights situation in the People's Republic of China as it relates to China's position in the international community and encouraging the United States, in conjunction with other members of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to work with China to promote the improvement of human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-resolution/76

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hres76/BILLS-105hres76ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:24:01Z. 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.76 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.