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H.Res. 1259Passed House

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: May 7, 2026

Latest action date: May 13, 2026

Latest development

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

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Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
May 7, 2026
Recorded roll calls
1

Status detail: The full action history records passage in the House.

Plain-language overview

What this bill does

This resolution calls upon the President to prioritize the humanitarian release of five specified individuals (Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai) and others unjustly detained by China during future engagements with China's President Xi Jinping.

The resolution also (1) urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to independent legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for these detainees; and (2) reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending political and religious freedom and advocating for the release of those unjustly detained for exercising such fundamental freedoms.

Civixly topics

What this legislation is about

Civixly topics make federal and state legislation comparable. They are derived from the official CRS policy area and legislative subjects.

Official CRS policy area

International Affairs

View 6 official legislative subjects
AsiaChinaDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadHuman rightsReligion

Committee activity

Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.

Amendments

Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.

No amendments are listed for this measure.

Checked against Congress.gov Sep 17, 2026.

Action timeline

Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.

View full action timeline11 actions
  1. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  2. 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).

    FloorHouse floor actions
  3. 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).

    FloorLibrary of Congress
  4. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3437-3438)

    FloorHouse floor actions
  5. 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.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1259.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3372-3375; text: CR H3372)

    FloorHouse floor actions
  8. Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  9. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    IntroReferralHouse floor actions
  10. Submitted in House

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress
  11. Submitted in House

    IntroReferralHouse floor actions

Roll-call votes

Recorded House and Senate votes connected to this bill. Your representatives appear first when available.

PassedMay 13, 2026House · Roll call 167

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree

Vote source ↗
414 Yea16 Not Voting
View 430 recorded positions
Andrew OglesNot Voting
Jimmy GomezNot Voting
Julia LetlowNot Voting
Kevin KileyNot Voting
Neal P. DunnNot Voting
Sean CastenNot Voting
Seth MoultonNot Voting
Zachary NunnNot Voting

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Sources: Congress.gov and official House and Senate vote records.

View data freshness details

Base metadata checked Sep 17, 2026 · Summary checked Sep 17, 2026 · Action timeline checked Sep 17, 2026 · Sponsorship checked Sep 17, 2026 · Topics checked Sep 17, 2026 · Committees checked Sep 17, 2026 · Status checked Sep 17, 2026 · Related bills checked Sep 17, 2026.