Bill · H.Res. 1259· House(119-HRES-1259)
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should prioritize securing the release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai detained by the People’s Republic of China during future engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Introduced
- 5/7/2026
- Last activity
- 5/13/2026 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Smith
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 1
- Introduced
- Adopted by the House
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
H. Res. 1259 is a resolution passed by the House of Representatives on May 13, 2026. The text highlights the wrongful arrests and detentions of various individuals by the Government of the People's Republic of China for peaceful expression, speech, or religion. It specifically mentions cases involving Pastor Gao Quanfu, Pang Yu, Pastor Jin Mingri, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai. The resolution calls upon the President to prioritize securing the humanitarian release of these individuals during engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including the anticipated May 2026 summit. It also urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for the detainees, while reaffirming the United States' commitment to political and religious freedom.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?+7
The resolution advocates for the release of individuals detained for the peaceful expression of speech.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6
The resolution calls for securing access to independent legal counsel for those unjustly detained.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+5
The resolution urges the President to ensure detainees have access to necessary medical care.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 414–0
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
05/13/2026 · Roll call 167 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Under Resolved (1), the resolution calls upon the President to prioritize securing the humanitarian release of specific unjustly detained individuals—including Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu, Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai—during engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is positive because it holds officials accountable by pushing our leadership to actively fight for the freedom of people who were locked up simply for speaking out or practicing their religion.
-
Under Resolved (2), the resolution urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to independent legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for the detainees. This could directly benefit the detained individuals and their families by ensuring they are alive, can talk to their loved ones, get a lawyer, and receive critical medication they have been denied.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+6
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Diplomatic Engagement+4
- 5/13/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0 (Roll no. 167).
- On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0 (Roll no. 167).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3437-3438)
- 5/12/2026
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1259.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3372-3375; text: CR H3372)
- Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2026
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Young KimRepublican · California
John MoolenaarRepublican · Michigan
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York