H.Res. 128: Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia.

115th Congress · introduced 2017-02-15 · International Affairs · Latest: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-02-15 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. 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

Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia.

Plain summary

Recognizes: (1) Ethiopia's efforts to promote regional peace and security; and (2) the importance of the U.S.-Ethiopian partnership in combatting terrorism, promoting economic growth, and addressing global health challenges. Condemns the use of excessive force by Ethiopian security forces and notes the reports of widespread human rights abuses. Commends the recent peaceful and voluntary transfer of authority from Prime Minister Hailemariam to Prime Minister Abiy. Calls on the government of Ethiopia to: (1) lift the state of emergency and end the use of excessive force by the security forces; (2) release all activists, journalists, and opposition figures who have been imprisoned for exercising their constitutional rights; and (3) allow for an independent human rights examination by a U.N.-appointed rapporteur. Calls on the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to strengthen ties with Ethiopia and engage in a cooperative effort to advance democracy, human rights, economic growth, and security.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), 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

Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · 114 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Marc A. Veasey (D-TX), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Judy Chu (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), William R. Keating (D-MA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Adam Smith (D-WA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Brian J. Mast (R-FL), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Katherine M. Clark (D-MA) and 54 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] reported raising $797,217 (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 (Passed House amended)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hres128.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hres>

Record fed-us-cong115-hres128 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115