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S.Res.240 / 105th Congress

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to democracy and human rights in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Resolution agreed to in Senate with amendments and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9317-9318)

Official summary

Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Jul 29, 1998

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Government of Laos should: (1) respect and fully honor its commitments to international norms of human rights and democratic freedoms for the Lao people as embodied in its constitution, international agreements, the 1962 Declaration on the Neutrality of Laos and its Protocol, and the 1973 Vientiane Agreement on Laos; (2) issue a public statement specifically reaffirming its commitment to protecting religious freedom and other basic human rights; (3) fully institute a process of democracy, human rights, and openly-contested free and fair elections in Laos and ensure that the National Assembly elections, currently scheduled for 2002, are openly contested; and (4) allow access for international human rights monitors to Lao prisons and to all regions of the country to investigate allegations of human rights abuses when requested.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Thomas, Craig [R-WY] · R–WY

Committees

  • Foreign Relations Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Resolution agreed to in Senate with amendments and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9317-9318)

  2. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with amendments and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9317-9318)

  3. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 429.

  4. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported to Senate by Senator Helms with amendments and with a preamble. Without written report.

  5. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported to Senate by Senator Helms with amendments and with a preamble. Without written report.

  6. Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

  7. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

  8. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5574)

  9. 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

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.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.240 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.240 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.240 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.240 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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