H.Res. 732: Calling for the protection of the rights and freedoms of religious minorities in the Arab world.

112th Congress · introduced 2012-07-17 · International Affairs · Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2012-07-17 · 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 House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 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

Calling for the protection of the rights and freedoms of religious minorities in the Arab world.

Plain summary

Recognizes, in light of the upheaval brought by the Arab Spring, that religious freedom is critical to democratization, so that: (1) all people can freely associate, speak, and peacefully participate equally in the political process; and (2) religious minorities are protected during the time of transition in the region. Calls upon the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to press all member nations to protect the rights of religious minorities within their borders and to treat such minorities as equal citizens. Calls for the prosecution of any crimes against such minorities. Urges the U.S. government to lead an international effort to support legal and political reforms for the equal protection of religious freedom as a foundation for a stable, peaceful, and lasting democracy in the region by: (1) making legal protection for the freedom of religion and for all who peacefully practice their faith a top priority in all meetings with senior foreign officials; (2) supporting and directing U.S. officials with international programs in the Middle East to work with officials, civil society actors, and ethno-religious communities to educate all sectors of society that religious freedom provides a foundation for democratic freedoms; (3) supporting Internet freedom throughout the region to provide access to information and the free exchange of ideas; and (4) encouraging the protection of places of worship and historic religious and cultural sites against terrorist attacks. Encourages the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the newly elected Egyptian President to ensure that the constituent assembly will draft a new constitution representing all parts of Egyptian society, including religious minorities. Calls on the Egyptian government and the local and federal governments of Iraq to prosecute acts of violence against Christians and to make the protection of religious minorities a priority.

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

Calling for the protection of the rights and freedoms of religious minorities in the Arab world.

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] · 40 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Brad Sherman (D-CA), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Andy Harris (R-MD), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Tim Scott (R-SC), John R. Carter (R-TX), James Lankford (R-OK)

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)

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-112hres732.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/112/hres>

Record fed-us-cong112-hres732 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112