Bill · S.Res. 151· Senate(119-SRES-151)
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should recognize the 1994 genocide in Rwanda as "the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda".
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 4/1/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2097-2098)
- Sponsored by
- Mike Rounds
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the naming of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. It suggests that the United States should officially recognize the event as "the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda." The resolution further calls for the Secretary of State to publicly affirm this specific terminology. Additionally, it notes that while the genocide against the Tutsi occurred, other atrocities also took place during that period. These included violence experienced by Hutus and the Indigenous Twa community perpetrated by Hutu extremist militias.
Yes
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+5
The resolution aligns U.S. terminology with international allies and the United Nations.
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+4
The resolution encourages the Secretary of State to adopt specific historical terminology used by international partners.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The resolution seeks historical clarity and official public affirmation of specific terms.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Formal Recognition of Terminology: The resolution suggests the United States should recognize the event as "the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda" (Section 1). This addresses concerns mentioned in the text that other names are "ambiguous" and can be conducive to genocide denial or revisionism.
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Public Affirmation: The resolution calls for the Secretary of State to publicly affirm the specific terminology (Section 2). This aligns the U.S. with other entities like the United Nations General Assembly, the United Kingdom, and European diplomats who use this phrasing.
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Historical Completeness: The resolution states that the history of the genocide should clearly affirm other experiences of mass violence (Section 3). This includes acknowledging the killings and violence experienced by Hutus and the Indigenous Twa community perpetrated by Hutu extremist militias.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+5Improves Diplomatic Engagement+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 4/1/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2097-2098)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware