PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (considered: CR S5677-5678; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5677-5678)
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Sep 13, 2016
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 14, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Expresses concern with respect to the failure of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to take actions required to hold elections in November 2016 as required by its Constitution.
Recognizes that impunity and lack of effective rule of law undermine democracy and that the arrest and detention of civil society activists and the harassment of political opponents close political space and repress peaceful dissent.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Reaffirms support for democracy and good governance in sub-Saharan Africa.
Calls on the DRC government and all other parties to respect the Constitution of the DRC and ensure a free, open, peaceful, and democratic transition of power. Urges such government to demonstrate leadership and commitment to elections by accelerating concrete steps towards holding elections, including registering voters and protecting partisan political speech and activities.
Encourages such government and all other relevant parties to engage in a focused discussion to advance the electoral process and reach consensus on the way forward by establishing a detailed electoral calendar for all elections and enabling the candidate selection and campaign process.
Urges the President of the United States, in close coordination with regional and international partners, to:
continuously verify that such necessary technical dialogue occurs and proceeds in a time and manner required to ensure the conduct of timely elections;
use appropriate means to ensure the objectives of this resolution, which may include imposition of additional targeted sanctions on individuals or entities responsible for violence and human rights violations and undermining democratic processes in the DRC; and
continue U.S. policy with respect to providing support for the organizing of free, fair, and peaceful national elections.
People & committees
Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ] · R–AZ
Legislative record
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Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (considered: CR S5677-5678; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5677-5678)
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.(considered: CR S5677-5678; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5677-5678)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 574.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.Res.485 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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