H.Res. 34: Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

111th Congress · introduced 2009-01-08 · International Affairs · Latest: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

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Where it came from: introduced 2009-01-08 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-8] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 10 (2009): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, HRES34 (2009-01-09), Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. 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

Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Plain summary

Expresses commitment to the welfare and survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders and recognizes its right to act in self-defense. Reiterates that Hamas must end the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure. Encourages the Administration to work to support a sustainable cease-fire in Gaza that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding its terrorist infrastructure. States that the lives of innocent civilians must be protected to the maximum extent possible. Calls on all nations to: (1) condemn Hamas for embedding its fighters, leaders, and weapons in private homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, and otherwise using Palestinian civilians as human shields while simultaneously targeting Israeli civilians; and (2) lay blame for the breaking of the calm and for subsequent civilian casualties on Hamas. Supports efforts to diminish the influence of extremists in the Palestinian territories. Calls: (1) on Egypt to intensify its efforts to halt smuggling between Gaza and Egypt; and (2) for the release of the kidnaped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Reiterates support for a two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

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

Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-8] · 116 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), John B. Larson (D-CT), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Jim Costa (D-CA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Michael R. Turner (R-OH) and 56 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-8] reported raising $2.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

House roll call 10 (2009): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, HRES34 (2009-01-09): Passed

Words on this page, explained (2)

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.

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-111hres34.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/hres>

Record fed-us-cong111-hres34 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111