H.Res. 1259Expressing 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.

1 recorded actionWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Christopher H. Smith [R-NJ-04]
Cosponsors: 3 · 2 Republicans · 1 Democrat
Policy area: International Affairs
Committee: Foreign Affairs Committee
Latest action: May 13, 2026 · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

IntroducedMay 7, 2026
Passed the HouseMay 13, 2026

What the measure doesCRS 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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.Res. 1259 as introduced in House on May 7, 2026. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 167

House May 13, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree

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

Passed · Two-thirds required

414 Yea 0 Nay 16 not voting

Crossed both parties No voting member broke with their own party.

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How the chamber split

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DemocratsIndependentsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members430 members

Democratic212 members

Independent1 member

Republican217 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors3 · 2 Republicans · 1 Democrat

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.Res. 1259 and vote against it. 0 signed when it was filed.

RJohn R. Moolenaar [R-MI-02]Joined May 11, 20262026 profile

DThomas R. Suozzi [D-NY-03]Joined May 12, 20262026 profile

RYoung Kim [R-CA-40]Joined May 12, 20262026 profile

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