Bill · H.Res. 843· House(119-HRES-843)

Supporting the designation of October 30 as the "International Day of Political Prisoners".

Age: 77 years

Tennessee

Introduced: 10/31/2025
Last activity: 10/31/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Sponsored by: Steve Cohen
Cosponsors: - 13 - 2

International Affairs

Introduced
In Committee

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

This resolution supports designating October 30 as the International Day of Political Prisoners. It highlights that there are an estimated 1,000,000 political prisoners worldwide who face detention and punishment by authoritarian regimes for their beliefs. The text notes past efforts by the United States Government in 2024 and 2025 that successfully secured the release of several dozen political prisoners from Belarus, Russia, and Venezuela. It also traces the history of the day back to October 30, 1974, when prisoners of conscience in the Soviet Gulag started the tradition to draw attention to their plight. Ultimately, the House of Representatives resolves to deplore political repression and supports ongoing government efforts to condemn imprisonment and secure releases.

Yes· 3 of 6

Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+5
The resolution supports ongoing government efforts to secure the release of political prisoners through bilateral and multilateral negotiations.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+4
The resolution strongly supports individuals targeted for expressing dissenting political views.
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?+4
The resolution strongly supports individuals detained by authoritarian regimes for peacefully expressing their political opinions.