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H.Con.Res. 317: Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum.

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H.Con.Res. 317: Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum.

110th Congress · introduced 2008-03-14 · International Affairs · Latest: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2008-03-14 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Holt, Rush [D-NJ-12] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 251 (2008): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended, HCONRES317 (2008-05-06), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. 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

Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum.

Plain summary

Denounces the undemocratic and illegitimate actions of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in Burma that seek to legitimize military rule through a flawed referendum process and an undemocratic constitution. Demands the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, and all other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Denounces the SPDC for its failure to comply with U.N. recommendations and engage in tri-partite dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1990 election winning parties, and representatives of ethnic nationalities. Urges the President to: (1) call for U.N. Security Council condemnation of the undemocratic referendum process and the SPDC's flawed constitution; (2) call for a Security Council resolution instructing the regime to comply with U.N. recommendations; and (3) push for a comprehensive arms embargo against the Burmese military regime at the Security Council. Urges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to involve itself more deeply in reaching out to the Burmese democracy movement and to work with the Security Council and the Secretary-General to promote political dialogue.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), 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

Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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The strongest published arguments

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Holt, Rush [D-NJ-12] · 50 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

James P. McGovern (D-MA), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (5)
Referendum
A vote by the public on a law or measure. Texas statewide propositions are how voters decide on constitutional amendments.
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.
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-hconres317 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110