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S.Res.242 / 105th Congress

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should not go to China until certain aspects of United States policy toward China in the areas of national security, trade, and human rights have been clarified and outstanding questions surrounding the export of United States satellite and missile technology have been answered.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 4, 1998

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President: (1) should not go to China to attend a summit with President Jiang until he has provided a full disclosure to the Congress concerning the transfer of U.S. satellite and missile technology to China and until U.S. policy towards China has been formulated more effectively to protect U.S. national security, economic, and human rights interests; (2) should submit a report to the Congress after the proposed summit in China concerning his progress in securing the release of persons remaining imprisoned in China and Tibet and other significant steps to improve human rights; and (3) in addition to applauding narrow trade concessions from China, should ensure that the highest levels of diplomacy are used to open the entire Chinese market to U.S. trade and investment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) China's accession to the World Trade Organization should be conditioned on China's compliance with past market access commitments and further steps to open China's market to U.S. investment and trade in goods and services; and (2) the United States should not jeopardize cooperation with and assistance to the Government of Taiwan to appease the Chinese Government, but instead should maintain unambiguously its legal commitments to help maintain Taiwan's capacity for self-defense while calling upon the Chinese Government to renounce the use of force against the people of Taiwan.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Ashcroft, John [R-MO] · R–MO

Committees

  • Foreign Relations Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5641)

  3. 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.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.242 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.242 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.242 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.242 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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