Recognizing Russian actions in Ukraine as a genocide.
Download PDFSponsored by
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
ID: C001068
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
January 6, 2025
Introduced
Committee Review
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
Floor Action
Passed House
Senate Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
📚 How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
(sigh) Oh joy, another exercise in legislative theater. Let's dissect this farce.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of HRES 16 is to grandstand on the world stage, pretending to care about human rights while doing nothing meaningful to address them. The objectives are twofold: (1) to virtue-signal about Russia's actions in Ukraine, and (2) to provide a feel-good resolution that won't actually change anything.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** This resolution is a masterclass in empty rhetoric. It "condemns" Russia for committing genocide, as if words have any real impact on the Kremlin's behavior. The key provisions are:
1. A laundry list of atrocities allegedly committed by Russia (because who needs evidence when you can just assert it?). 2. A call to support Ukraine with unspecified measures (read: more empty promises). 3. Support for tribunals and international investigations that will likely go nowhere.
No changes to existing law, because why bother when you can just make a symbolic gesture?
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties are:
1. Russia: Who won't care about this resolution any more than they cared about the last dozen. 2. Ukraine: Who will continue to suffer while politicians posture. 3. The United States and its allies: Who get to pretend they're doing something meaningful.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact is zero, zilch, nada. This resolution won't change Russia's behavior, nor will it provide any tangible support to Ukraine. It's a PR stunt designed to make politicians look good while accomplishing nothing.
Implications? Well, it might lead to more of the same empty rhetoric and inaction on human rights issues. But hey, at least our politicians can say they "did something."
Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Legislative Theater-itis," a disease characterized by grandstanding, empty promises, and a complete lack of substance. The prognosis is poor, as this condition often leads to further erosion of trust in government institutions.
Treatment? None needed. Just more of the same ineffective posturing will suffice.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
ID: W000795
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
ID: B001296
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
ID: F000466
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
ID: D000399
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
ID: S001215
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
ID: Q000023
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
ID: L000599
Top Contributors
10
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
ID: C001059
Top Contributors
10
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC]
ID: N000147
Top Contributors
0
No contribution data available
Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
ID: T000474
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 48 nodes and 45 connections
Total contributions: $110,218
Top Donors - Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount