H.Res. 131: Concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need for international efforts toward long-term peace, stability, and observance of human rights.

113th Congress · introduced 2013-03-21 · International Affairs · Latest: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2013-03-21 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent. 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

Concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need for international efforts toward long-term peace, stability, and observance of human rights.

Plain summary

Asserts that the region's leaders and the international community should break the cycle of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding region. Calls on: (1) the signatories of the February 24, 2013, Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region to abide by the Framework's provisions; and (2) governments of the Great Lakes region of Africa to respect the national security and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recognizes efforts by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to end child recruitment into the armed forces and demands the cessation of militia recruitment and exploitation of children. Calls on the Obama Administration to: (1) mobilize a comprehensive response to prevent further deterioration of regional peace and stability and to ensure that humanitarian assistance be provided to populations in need, and (2) develop actionable recommendations to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses. Acknowledges the good work of the United States Special Advisor on the Great Lakes and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Calls on all nations to increase cooperation to stop the trade of illegal goods that fuels violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Urges the Democratic Republic of the Congo to investigate and prosecute those who have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. Acknowledges the appointment by the United Nations (U.N.) of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region of Africa. Urges the U.N. Security Council to lead efforts to strengthen the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

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

Concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need for international efforts toward long-term peace, stability, and observance of human rights.

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. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] · 72 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), William R. Keating (D-MA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark Takano (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Marc A. Veasey (D-TX), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), André Carson (D-IN), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and 12 more.

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.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

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-113hres131.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/hres>

Record fed-us-cong113-hres131 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113