S.Res. 541: A resolution recognizing the severe threat that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa poses to populations, governments, and economies across Africa and, if not properly contained, to regions across the globe, and expressing support for those affected by this epidemic.

S.Res. 541: A resolution recognizing the severe threat that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa poses to populations, governments, and economies across Africa and, if not properly contained, to regions across the globe, and expressing support for those affected by this epidemic.

113th Congress · introduced 2014-09-10 · International Affairs · Latest: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5878-5879; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5878-5879; text as passed Senate: CR S5879-5880)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2014-09-10 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5878-5879; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5878-5879; text as passed Senate: CR S5879-5880) 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 resolution recognizing the severe threat that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa poses to populations, governments, and economies across Africa and, if not properly contained, to regions across the globe, and expressing support for those affected by this epidemic.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Recognizes: (1) the threat that Ebola poses to populations, governments, and economies in Africa; and (2) that the limited capacity of the initial outbreak countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia to combat the epidemic has been exhausted and the potential threat to regions beyond Africa if the Ebola outbreak is not contained. Expresses support for those affected by this epidemic and sympathy for Ebola victims and their families. Supports the governments of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their efforts to combat the Ebola virus. Urges citizens of affected countries to respect preventative guidelines. Supports the work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of State, the Forest Service, and other U.S. government agencies providing technical, logistical, and material support. Encourages deepened U.S. and international commitments to the global Ebola response. Welcomes the delivery of assistance and increased engagement from donors such as the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union (AU), the World Bank, the European Union (EU), and Canada. Supports the World Health Organization's Ebola Response Roadmap. Encourages Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone to work together and with other nations and regional and subregional organizations to establish emergency response systems. Recognizes the work of thousands of African, U.S., and international officials and volunteers on the ground in West Africa, and particularly health care workers.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment), 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

A resolution recognizing the severe threat that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa poses to populations, governments, and economies across Africa and, if not properly contained, to regions across the globe, and expressing support for those affected by this epidemic.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed 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. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] · 20 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] reported raising $5.0 million (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)

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 (Passed Senate without amendment)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-113sres541.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/sres>

Record fed-us-cong113-sres541 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113