What’s next for H.Res.901 after Passage in House Foreign Affairs Committee

As you may know, in March, H.Res.901 “Expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan”, passed 50-0 within the House Foreign Relations Committee – a massive victory for supporters of human rights and free and fair Democracy in Pakistan and a testament to the tireless work of PAKPAC in cultivating strong relationships with the Foreign Affairs committee’s membership.

Now that the bill has passed committee it awaits passage by the House.

Rather than facing a massive vote on the house floor, the more likely way that the bill will be passed is through voice vote. In Congress, “the vast majority of actions decided by a voice vote” are ones for which “a strong or even overwhelming majority favors one side,” or even unanimous consent. Because the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 50-0 for this legislation and thanks to the resolution’s uncontroversial nature and bipartisan support this is a likely potential route that the resolution’s passage could take.

Once it is passed, resolutions do not require the approval of the Senate nor the signature of the president. When the house passes the bill we will have finished the process and the House of Representatives support for Pakistani democracy will be codified on the record.