H.Res. 1259 Agreed to in the House International Affairs

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.

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.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Agreed to in House
Sponsor Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] Introduced May 7, 2026 Cosponsors 3 (2 R, 1 D) Latest action May 13, 2026

Summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. May 13, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  2. May 13, 2026 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).
  3. May 13, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3437-3438)
  4. May 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.
  5. May 12, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1259.
  6. May 12, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3372-3375; text: CR H3372)
  7. May 12, 2026 Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
  8. May 7, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  9. May 7, 2026 Submitted in House

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