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S.Res.128 / 107th Congress

A resolution calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately and unconditionally release all American scholars of Chinese ancestry being held in detention, calling on the President of the United States to continue working on behalf of the detained scholars for their release, and for other purposes.

Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8141-8142; text: CR 7/30/2001 S8400-8401)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 11, 2001

Condemns and deplores: (1) the continued detention of Li Shaomin, Gao Zhan, Wu Jianmin, Qin Guangguang, Teng Chunyan and other scholars detained on false charges by the Government of the People's Republic of China and calls for their release; (2) the lack of due process afforded to these detainees and the probable coercion of confessions from some of them; and (3) human rights violations by such Government.Urges the Chinese Government to consider: (1) the implications to the broader U.S.-Chinese relationship of detaining and coercing confessions from U.S. citizens and permanent residents on unsubstantiated spying charges or suspicions; and (2) releasing Liu Yaping on medical parole.Expresses the Senate's belief that human rights violations inflicted on U.S. citizens and residents will reduce opportunities for U.S.-Chinese cooperation.Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) make release of the detained American scholars a top priority and continue to make every effort to assist such persons and their families while discussions are ongoing; (2) make it clear that the detention and violation of the human rights of U.S. citizens and residents is not in the Chinese Government's interests; and (3) send a special, high ranking representative to reiterate deep concern regarding continued imprisonment of such persons and to discuss their legal status and immediate humanitarian needs.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Torricelli, Robert G. [D-NJ] · D–NJ

Committees

  • Foreign Relations Committee
8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8141-8142; text: CR 7/30/2001 S8400-8401)

  2. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8141-8142; text: CR 7/30/2001 S8400-8401)

  3. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.

  4. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.

  5. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.

  6. Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  7. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7519-7520)

  8. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Mar 9, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.128 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.128 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.128 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.128 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.

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