Urging the Government of Gabon to respect democratic principles during the August 2016 presidential elections.

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 12, 2016

Calls on the Gabonese government to:

hold orderly, peaceful, free, and fair presidential elections in August 2016 in order to ensure stability and long-term growth of Gabon;

guarantee fair and open participation of opposition parties; and

guarantee the freedom of speech and assembly of all Gabonese citizens.

Encourages continued efforts toward the consolidation of democracy through increased dialogue and concrete actions to address the constitutional and legal framework of electoral systems.

Expresses support for Gabonese organizations that work to further strengthen democratic processes.

Calls on: (1) the citizens of Gabon to fully and peacefully participate in the presidential elections; and (2) the United States and other international partners to help create an environment that facilitates open communication, guarantees free and fair elections, encourages voter participation, and fosters a robust civil society.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

4 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.

Jul 14, 2016
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 14, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 12, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jul 12, 2016
Introduced in House
Jul 12, 2016
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 · Jul 12, 2016 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.821 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.821, 114th Congress: Urging the Government of Gabon to respect democratic principles during the August 2016 presidential elections.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/821

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-07-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres821/BILLS-114hres821ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T15:58:15Z. 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.821 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.821 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.821, 114th Congress: Urging the Government of Gabon to respect democratic principles during the August 2016 presidential elections.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/821

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-07-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres821/BILLS-114hres821ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T15:58:15Z. 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.821 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.821 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.821, 114th Congress: Urging the Government of Gabon to respect democratic principles during the August 2016 presidential elections.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/821

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-07-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres821/BILLS-114hres821ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T15:58:15Z. 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.821 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.821 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.821, 114th Congress: Urging the Government of Gabon to respect democratic principles during the August 2016 presidential elections.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-resolution/821

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2016-07-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres821/BILLS-114hres821ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T15:58:15Z. 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.821 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.