H.Con.Res. 396: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India.

109th Congress · introduced 2006-04-27 · International Affairs · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2006-04-27 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-2] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India.

Plain summary

Expresses the sense of Congress that, as the leaders of the United States and the Republic of India have expressed commitment to the values of human freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, it is in U.S. interests to address the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India by: (1) raising the issue of caste discrimination and untouchability; (2) inviting Dalit organizations to participate in the planning and implementation of U.S. development projects; (3) prioritizing funding for projects that positively impact Dalit and Tribal communities; (4) encouraging international financial institutions to consider caste discrimination when funding development projects; (5) ensuring that U.S. government employees and contractors in India are aware that it is U.S. policy that caste discrimination is unacceptable; (6) ensuring that qualified Dalits are not discouraged from applying for U.S. government and private employment in India; and (7) monitoring the activities and funds of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the United States that are used to support groups that have perpetrated acts of violence against Dalits, Tribals, and religious minorities in India.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

A Yea supports adopting this resolution.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-2] · 15 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Resolution: A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Roll-call vote: A vote where each member's position is recorded by name, so the public can see how every member voted. "Yea" means yes, "Nay" means no, "Present" means the member was there but did not take a side.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-109hconres396.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/hconres>

Record fed-us-cong109-hconres396 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109