H.Res. 837 · 117th Congress · House

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Beijing should immediately guarantee the safety and freedom of tennis star Peng Shuai.

In Congress· The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Introduced
Dec 3, 21
Passed House
Dec 8, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the case of Peng Shuai is directly related to broader international concerns around the freedom of speech and safety of athletes participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.

The resolution also expresses that the role of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in legitimizing China's claims about Peng's safety raises questions about the IOC's ability and willingness to protect the rights of athletes participating in the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing.

Finally, the resolution expresses that China should (1) provide independent and verifiable proof of Peng's whereabouts and that she is safe, (2) allow Peng to engage directly with the Women's Tennis Association and the United Nations to independently verify her safety and explain her absence from public life since making her allegation, (3) open an independent and transparent investigation into Peng's allegations against former senior Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, (4) publicly commit to holding sexual violence abusers accountable, (5) cease all censorship of reporting and discussions of Peng's case, and (6) allow Peng to leave China if she so desires and not retaliate against her family members who remain there.

Previous Versions

00Dec 3, 2021

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that, by cooperating with the Chinese Communist Party, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) failed to adhere to its own human rights commitments and protect the free speech of Olympic athletes.

The resolution also expresses that, in an effort to regain lost public confidence, the IOC should call on the Chinese Communist Party to (1) open an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations of Peng Shuai; (2) publicly commit to holding sexual violence abusers accountable; (3) cease all censorship of reporting and discussions of Peng's case; and (4) allow Peng to leave China if she so desires, and not retaliate against her family members who remain in China.

Action Timeline

12
  1. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    Mr

    Meeks moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

  2. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H7504-7507)

    7504Yea
    7507Nay
    0NV
  3. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 837.

  4. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    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. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H7534)

  6. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #413

    On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 428 - 0 (Roll no. 413).(text: CR H7505)

    428Yea
    0Nay
    0NV
  7. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 428 - 0 (Roll no. 413). (text: CR H7505)

    Roll Call #413
    428Yea
    0Nay
    0NV
  8. DEC 08, 2021Floor

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

  9. DEC 08, 2021Floor

    The title of the measure was amended

    Agreed to without objection.

  10. DEC 03, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  11. DEC 03, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  12. DEC 03, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Committees

1

Foreign Affairs Committee

hsfa00

Referred: Dec 3, 2021

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