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Recognizing the urgent need for peace, stability, and reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and supporting diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.

USA119th CongressHRES-559| House 
| Updated: 6/27/2025
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (4)
Richard McCormick (Republican)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Mark E. Green (Republican)Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This resolution highlights the urgent need for peace, stability, and reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has suffered decades of conflict, political instability, and humanitarian crises. It notes that eastern DRC and the broader African Great Lakes region continue to experience cycles of violence, displacement, and human rights violations, with millions internally displaced and facing severe food insecurity. The resolution identifies the illegal exploitation of natural resources, particularly conflict minerals, as a key factor financing armed groups like M23, FDLR, and ADF, which commit widespread atrocities and human rights abuses. It points out that these groups exploit the DRC's vast mineral wealth, often through illicit operations that lack transparency and accountability. To address these issues, the resolution supports an inclusive national dialogue led by local religious organizations and encourages regional stakeholders to participate in African-led peace processes such as the Luanda and Nairobi Processes. It calls for an end to state support for non-state armed groups and urges the DRC government to combat systemic corruption, implement transparent governance, and respect human rights. Furthermore, the resolution endorses critical minerals commercial agreements between the United States and the DRC to promote mutual economic and national security interests. It encourages strengthened local and international implementation of supply chain traceability and due diligence regulations for conflict minerals, advocating for reforms in the mining sector to combat illicit financing. Finally, the resolution urges the President of the United States to take measures to sanction corrupt actors and armed groups, including M23, FDLR, and ADF, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It encourages the use of targeted economic sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and entities obstructing peace or perpetrating violence, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to supporting peace, democracy, and economic development in the DRC and the African Great Lakes region.
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Timeline
Jun 27, 2025
Submitted in House
Jun 27, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • June 27, 2025
    Submitted in House


  • June 27, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

International Affairs

Recognizing the urgent need for peace, stability, and reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and supporting diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.

USA119th CongressHRES-559| House 
| Updated: 6/27/2025
This resolution highlights the urgent need for peace, stability, and reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has suffered decades of conflict, political instability, and humanitarian crises. It notes that eastern DRC and the broader African Great Lakes region continue to experience cycles of violence, displacement, and human rights violations, with millions internally displaced and facing severe food insecurity. The resolution identifies the illegal exploitation of natural resources, particularly conflict minerals, as a key factor financing armed groups like M23, FDLR, and ADF, which commit widespread atrocities and human rights abuses. It points out that these groups exploit the DRC's vast mineral wealth, often through illicit operations that lack transparency and accountability. To address these issues, the resolution supports an inclusive national dialogue led by local religious organizations and encourages regional stakeholders to participate in African-led peace processes such as the Luanda and Nairobi Processes. It calls for an end to state support for non-state armed groups and urges the DRC government to combat systemic corruption, implement transparent governance, and respect human rights. Furthermore, the resolution endorses critical minerals commercial agreements between the United States and the DRC to promote mutual economic and national security interests. It encourages strengthened local and international implementation of supply chain traceability and due diligence regulations for conflict minerals, advocating for reforms in the mining sector to combat illicit financing. Finally, the resolution urges the President of the United States to take measures to sanction corrupt actors and armed groups, including M23, FDLR, and ADF, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It encourages the use of targeted economic sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and entities obstructing peace or perpetrating violence, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to supporting peace, democracy, and economic development in the DRC and the African Great Lakes region.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Jun 27, 2025
Submitted in House
Jun 27, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • June 27, 2025
    Submitted in House


  • June 27, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (4)
Richard McCormick (Republican)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Mark E. Green (Republican)Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted