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HR 2195 105th Congress House Foreign Trade and International Finance Authorization China Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Congress Congressional reporting requirements Crime and Law Enforcement Customs administration Department of State Department of the Treasury East Asia Economics and Public Finance Exports Federal law enforcement officers Forced labor Government Operations and Politics Human rights Import restrictions Imports International Affairs

Laogai Slave Labor Products Act of 1997

Introduced: July 17, 1997 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 32 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 6, 1997
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Nov 5, 1997
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2195.
Nov 5, 1997
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Nov 5, 1997
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 5, 1997
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 419 - 2, 1 Present (Roll no. 582).
Nov 5, 1997
On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 202 (Roll no. 581). (consideration: CR H10093)
Nov 5, 1997
Motion to appeal the ruling of the chair tabled.
Nov 5, 1997
Mr. Crane moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
Nov 5, 1997
Mr. Taylor (MS) appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
Nov 5, 1997
Mr. Crane raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Crane stated that the amendment was outside the scope of the bill and not germane. Sustained by the Chair. (consideration: CR H10091-10092)
Nov 5, 1997
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate.
Nov 5, 1997
Mr. Taylor (MS) moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.
Nov 5, 1997
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Nov 5, 1997
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 302, the House proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Nov 5, 1997
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188 and H.R. 967. Providing for the sequential consideration in the House of the following measures: H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188, H.R. 967, H.R. 2570, H.R. 2386, H.R. 2605, H.R. 2647. One hour of general debate is provided for each measure. Specified amendments are in order.
Nov 5, 1997
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 302. (consideration: CR H10080-10094)
Nov 4, 1997
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 302 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188 and H.R. 967. Providing for the sequential consideration in the House of the following measures: H.R. 2358, H.R. 2232, H.R. 2195, H. Res. 188, H.R. 967, H.R. 2570, H.R. 2386, H.R. 2605, and H.R. 2647. One hour of general debate is provided for each measure. Specified amendments are in order.
Oct 31, 1997
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 212.
Oct 31, 1997
Committee on International Relations discharged.
Oct 31, 1997
House Committee on International Relations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 31, 1997.
Oct 31, 1997
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 105-366, Part I.
Oct 1, 1997
Subcommittee on Trade Discharged.
Oct 1, 1997
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 1, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 24, 1997
Executive Comment Requested from State.
Aug 21, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Aug 21, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Jul 24, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to House International Relations
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, 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.
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to House Ways and Means
Jul 17, 1997
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Nov 5, 1997 House · vote #582 On Passage Passed 419–2 See who voted →
Nov 5, 1997 House · vote #581 On Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair Passed 217–202 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 464 — An amendment in the nature of a substitute recoommended by the Committee on Ways and Means and considered as … Agreed to Nov 5, 1997
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Laogai Slave Labor Products Act of 1997 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for monitoring by the U.S. Customs Service and the Department of State of the exportation of slave labor products by China.

Directs the Commissioner of Customs and the Secretary of State each to report annually to the Congress on manufacturing and exportation of slave labor products in China.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that, since China has substantially frustrated the purposes of the 1992 Memorandum of Understanding with the United States on Prison Labor, the President should immediately commence negotiations to replace the current Memorandum with one providing for effective monitoring of forced labor there, without restrictions on which prison labor camps international monitors may visit.

What's happening now November 6, 1997

Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 302 Related bill Providing for consideration of nine measures relating to the policy of the United States with respect to the People's R…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2195: Laogai Slave Labor Products Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2195/
MLA
"H.R. 2195: Laogai Slave Labor Products Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2195/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2195, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2195/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2195: Laogai Slave Labor Products Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2195/)
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