A resolution requesting a statement under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to violations of human rights by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2444)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 11, 2019

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that (1) the President should issue a determination with respect to the involvement of high-ranking officials of the government of Saudi Arabia, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi; and (2) the United States should call upon Saudi Arabia to release human rights activists, journalists, and religious minorities held in detention and to reverse violations of human rights.

The resolution also requests that the Department of State report on specified matters with respect to Saudi Arabia, including Khashoggi's murder and the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · D–OR

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

8 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 11, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2444)
Apr 11, 2019
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Apr 11, 2019 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: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.169 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 S.Res.169, 116th Congress: A resolution requesting a statement under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to violations of human rights by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/169

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2019-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres169/BILLS-116sres169is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:00:46Z. 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 S.Res.169 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 S.Res.169 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 S.Res.169, 116th Congress: A resolution requesting a statement under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to violations of human rights by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/169

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2019-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres169/BILLS-116sres169is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:00:46Z. 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 S.Res.169 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 S.Res.169 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 S.Res.169, 116th Congress: A resolution requesting a statement under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to violations of human rights by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/169

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2019-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres169/BILLS-116sres169is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:00:46Z. 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 S.Res.169 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 S.Res.169 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 S.Res.169, 116th Congress: A resolution requesting a statement under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to violations of human rights by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/169

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2019-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres169/BILLS-116sres169is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:00:46Z. 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 S.Res.169 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.