H.R.es148 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) and the harmful conflation of China’s One China Principle and the United States One China Policy. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.Res.148 expresses the House of Representatives' stance on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) and the distinction between China's "One China Principle" and the United States' "One China Policy." The resolution aims to counter China's interpretation of Resolution 2758 as an endorsement of its claim over Taiwan.
The resolution emphasizes that the U.S. "One China Policy" acknowledges but does not endorse China's position on Taiwan. It supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations and encourages other countries to differentiate their policies from China's "One China Principle."
Ultimately, the resolution seeks to clarify the U.S. position, support Taiwan's international presence, and counter China's narrative regarding Taiwan's status.
Expected Effects
This resolution is primarily symbolic, serving to express the House's opinion and influence international discourse. It could lead to increased diplomatic support for Taiwan and greater scrutiny of China's actions regarding Taiwan's international participation.
It may also encourage other nations to re-evaluate their own "one China" policies and resist Chinese pressure to isolate Taiwan. However, the resolution itself does not create any legally binding obligations or change existing U.S. policy.
Furthermore, the resolution could strain relations with China, potentially impacting trade and other diplomatic efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Clarifies U.S. Policy: Reinforces the distinction between the U.S. "One China Policy" and China's "One China Principle," reducing potential for misinterpretation.
- Supports Taiwan: Encourages international support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
- Counters Chinese Propaganda: Actively challenges China's narrative regarding Resolution 2758 and Taiwan's status.
- Promotes International Cooperation: Encourages allies to differentiate their policies from China's, fostering a united front.
- Upholds Democratic Values: Supports a democratic Taiwan against authoritarian pressure.
Potential Disadvantages
- Strained Relations with China: Could negatively impact U.S.-China relations, affecting trade and other diplomatic efforts.
- Limited Practical Impact: The resolution is non-binding and primarily symbolic, with limited direct impact on policy.
- Potential for Misinterpretation: China could interpret the resolution as a hostile act, leading to further escalation.
- Risk of International Isolation: Some nations may be hesitant to openly support Taiwan due to economic or political pressure from China.
- Diversion of Resources: Could divert attention and resources from other pressing foreign policy issues.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution aligns with the U.S. Constitution in several ways. First, it is an expression of the House of Representatives' foreign policy stance, which falls under its enumerated powers in Article I, Section 8, to regulate commerce with foreign nations and declare war (though this resolution does not declare war, it relates to foreign relations).
Second, the resolution supports democratic values and human rights, which are implicitly supported by the Constitution's emphasis on individual liberties and self-determination. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people, suggesting a broad scope for Congressional action on foreign policy matters that do not infringe on individual rights.
Finally, the resolution does not violate any specific constitutional prohibitions, such as those in the Bill of Rights.
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).