H. Res. 1259 · Passed House · International Affairs

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should prioritize securing the release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai detained by the People’s Republic of China during future engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Sponsor: Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ)

What it does

• Calls on the President to prioritize the humanitarian release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Jimmy Lai, and others unjustly detained by China.
• Applies to future engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• Urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to independent legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for the detainees.
• Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending political and religious freedom and advocating for those unjustly detained for exercising those freedoms.

Official summary

This resolution calls upon the President to prioritize the humanitarian release of five specified individuals (Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai) and others unjustly detained by China during future engagements with China's President Xi Jinping. The resolution also (1) urges the President to seek verifiable proof of life, access to independent legal counsel, family communication, and medical care for these detainees; and (2) reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending political and religious freedom and advocating for the release of those unjustly detained for exercising such fundamental freedoms.

Latest action

May 13, 2026: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Committee: House Foreign Affairs