Commemorating the seventh anniversary of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and calling for accountability.
Summary
House Resolution 854 commemorates the seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's murder and calls for accountability from the Saudi Arabian government. The resolution acknowledges existing sanctions against Saudi individuals involved in the murder. It urges Saudi Arabia to release wrongfully detained individuals and respect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
Expected Effects
The resolution expresses the House of Representatives' stance on human rights and international relations with Saudi Arabia. It could influence future foreign policy decisions and potentially increase pressure on Saudi Arabia to address human rights concerns. However, as a resolution, it does not have the force of law.
Potential Benefits
- Reinforces the U.S. commitment to human rights and freedom of the press.
- Supports individuals who have been unjustly detained in Saudi Arabia.
- Potentially strengthens the U.S.'s international standing as a defender of human rights.
- May encourage other nations to take similar stances on human rights issues.
- Could lead to improved relations with Saudi Arabia if the country addresses human rights concerns.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could strain the U.S.-Saudi Arabia relationship, which is considered essential for regional stability and energy supply.
- May not have a significant impact on Saudi Arabia's human rights practices.
- Could be perceived as symbolic without concrete actions to back it up.
- Potential for retaliatory actions from Saudi Arabia that could harm U.S. interests.
- May divert attention from other pressing foreign policy issues.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution aligns with the First Amendment's principles of freedom of speech and the press, as it condemns the suppression of journalists and calls for the protection of these freedoms. It also reflects the government's role in promoting justice and ensuring domestic tranquility, as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution. However, the Constitution does not explicitly address foreign policy matters in this specific manner, leaving it largely to the discretion of the legislative and executive branches.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).