Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region.

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · Apr 9, 2008

Welcomes the recommendations contained in the March 2007 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) report "Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean" to the extent those recommendations do not conflict with U.S. law.

Urges the governments of United States and other drug-consuming countries to increase counter-narcotics assistance to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and the Dominican Republic.

Urges the U.S. government to: (1) increase coordination with CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic to help combat regional crime; and (2) consider the impact on CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic of the proposed Merida Initiative to combat drugs, violence, and transnational crime in Mexico and Central America.

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Urges the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to work with the CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic to mitigate the negative effects of U.S. deportation policy.

Urges the CARICOM member states and the Dominican Republic to consider fully the recommendations in the UNODC and World Bank report, especially with respect to improvements in their criminal justice systems.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-11] · D–NY

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

34 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.

Apr 9, 2008
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Apr 9, 2008
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 9, 2008
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2078-2079)
Apr 9, 2008
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2078-2079)
Apr 9, 2008
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 865.
Apr 9, 2008
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2078-2081)
Apr 9, 2008
Mr. Payne moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
Feb 27, 2008
Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, by Unanimous Consent.
Feb 27, 2008
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Dec 11, 2007
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Dec 11, 2007
Introduced in House
Dec 11, 2007
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Engrossed in House · Apr 9, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Introduced in House · Dec 11, 2007 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: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.865 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.865, 110th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/865

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-04-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres865/BILLS-110hres865eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:25:10Z. 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.865 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.865 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.865, 110th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/865

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-04-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres865/BILLS-110hres865eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:25:10Z. 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.865 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.865 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.865, 110th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/865

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-04-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres865/BILLS-110hres865eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:25:10Z. 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.865 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.865 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.865, 110th Congress: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the March 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes an important contribution to the understanding of the high levels of crime and violence in the Caribbean, and that the United States should work with Caribbean countries to address crime and violence in the region.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/865

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-04-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres865/BILLS-110hres865eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:25:10Z. 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.865 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.