S.Res. 479: A resolution urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power in 2016.

S.Res. 479: A resolution urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power in 2016.

114th Congress · introduced 2016-05-26 · International Affairs · Latest: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3296)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2016-05-26 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3296) 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 urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power in 2016.

Plain summary

Condemns: (1) actions by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to subvert the Constitution of the DRC and undermine democracy, (2) the failure of such government to take timely necessary measures to organize free and fair national elections, and (3) violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by its security forces. Reaffirms support for democracy and good-governance in sub-Saharan Africa that are free from political repression and human rights abuses. Calls on President Kabila's government to: (1) publicly and unequivocally commit to complete a peaceful transfer of presidential power upon the expiration of his mandate on December 19, 2016, and (2) adhere to the DRC Constitution and relinquish power at the end of his term. Calls on the President of the United States: (1) in coordination with regional and international partners and the United Nations, to impose targeted sanctions on those DRC officials responsible for violence and human rights violations and undermining democratic processes or institutions; and (2) to consider lifting sanctions when specified conditions apply, including that a free and fair presidential election has been held in the DRC and a new President has been sworn into office. Calls on the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to review all U.S. assistance to the DRC to ensure that such assistance is not being used to support President Kabila's efforts to remain in power. Calls on the Department of State and USAID to: (1) continue providing financial and technical assistance to support the organizing of free, fair, and peaceful national elections and the inclusion and civic education of youth, women, and rural populations; and (2) ensure the continuance of U.S. assistance delivered through nongovernmental organizations.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), 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 urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power in 2016.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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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: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · 5 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] reported raising $6.0 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 (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 Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-114sres479.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/114/sres>

Record fed-us-cong114-sres479 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114