Minnick bill passes House with Bipartisan Support

Resolution calls for release of dissident on the anniversary of the Chinese Communist Revolution

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick’s resolution calling for the release of Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese scholar who is being held under criminal detention for his pro-Democratic views, passed the House of Representatives by a near unanimous vote of 410 to 1.  Passing on the 60th anniversary of the Communist Revolution in China, the resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 151, has been officially adopted by the House.

“I am pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joined me in calling for the release of Mr. Liu,” Minnick said. “My constituents and I believe that our nation has a duty to spread the values of democracy around the world and to advocate for those who share our values. I am pleased today to have Congress show support for those efforts.”

Yesterday Minnick read a statement for the Congressional record in support of the resolution and was joined on the floor by Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Ranking Member Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).  Both Members spoke enthusiastically in support of Minnick’s resolution.   

Earlier this year on May 16th, Minnick called for the release of Mr. Liu when he spoke at the University of Idaho commencement ceremony in Moscow.