S.J.Res. 17: A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes.

111th Congress · introduced 2009-06-09 · International Affairs · Latest: By Senator Baucus from Committee on Finance filed written report. Report No. 111-63.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2009-06-09 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: By Senator Baucus from Committee on Finance filed written report. Report No. 111-63. 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

A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to renew, for three years, the President's authority to ban the import of Burmese products. Approves the renewal of certain import restrictions contained in the Act. Deems this resolution a renewal resolution which shall take effect upon its enactment or July 26, 2009, whichever occurs first.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

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

A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate without amendment)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY] · 65 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S.J. Res. 17, A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes (2009-07-23); CBO cost estimate: S.J. Res. 17, A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes (2009-07-23)

Cosponsors on this site

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Patty Murray (D-WA), James E. Risch (R-ID), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and 5 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY] reported raising $278,697 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

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 (2)

Joint resolution: In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
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.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate without amendment)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-111sjres17.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/sjres>

Record fed-us-cong111-sjres17 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111