WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.Res. 1259 · 119th Congress

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.

Passed HouseInternational Affairs
IntroducedMay 7, 2026
Passed HouseMay 13, 2026

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, May 13, 2026: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

What it does

Sourced

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, May 7, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. May 13, 2026Passed/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). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress

Show all 11 recorded actions

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. May 13, 2026 · HousePassed 414–0
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree · needed two-thirds
    R 208 yes, 0 noD 206 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Young Kim R-CA-40
  • John R. Moolenaar R-MI-2
  • Thomas R. Suozzi D-NY-3