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.

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · May 7, 2026
2. Committee Done · May 7, 2026
3. Agreed to in House Done · May 13, 2026

From the official actions on Congress.gov. Resolutions of this kind don't go to the President.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

No cost estimate yet.

Where it stands

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (May 13, 2026)

What happens next

The House agreed to it. A simple resolution applies only to the House and does not become law.

Official 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 (Introduced in House version), via Congress.gov.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageMay 13, 2026 · roll call 167

   On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: Passed (414–0)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 167

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	206	0	0	6
   Republican	208	0	0	9
   Independent	0	0	0	1

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Map: how each state voted

   All voted YesSplitAll voted NoNo Yes or No votes

   Each state is shaded by the share of its U.S. House members who voted Yes, out of those who voted Yes or No. Colors show the vote, not party.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

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