United States 118th Congress Status: Died Bipartisan · 25 R · 19 D cosponsors

HRES 837 — Reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines.

Last action — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. Died in session

This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This resolution states that the House of Representatives reaffirms the United States commitment to invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty if Philippine assets are attacked in the South China Sea. The resolution also calls on the United States and the Philippines to begin joint patrols in the South China Sea, objects to Chinese sovereignty claims to the South China Sea, and welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (a 2014 agreement enabling the U.S. and Philippine militaries to train together, respond to humanitarian crises, and modernize military capabilities).

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

44 added · 30 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to H. Res. 837 includes additional context about recent geopolitical events, specifically mentioning a trilateral summit on April 11, 2024, and an incident on June 17, 2024, involving Chinese vessels and the Philippines. It also changes the call for joint patrols in the South China Sea from "begin" to "conduct more," emphasizing ongoing collaboration rather than starting new efforts. This matters because it reflects a strengthened commitment to cooperation in the region and highlights specific recent challenges faced by the Philippines.

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837 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H.
837 Engrossed in House (EH)] <DOC> H.
RES.
Res.
837 Reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines.
837 In the House of Representatives, U.
_______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 1, 2023 Mr.
S., November 20, 2024.
Moylan (for himself and Mr.
Scott of Virginia) submitted the following resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ RESOLUTION Reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines.
and Whereas, on October 22, 2023, the Chinese Coast Guard rammed a Philippines Coast Guard cutter escorting supplies to the Second Thomas Shoal within the Philippines exclusive economic zone:
Whereas, on October 22, 2023, the Chinese Coast Guard rammed a Philippines Coast Guard cutter escorting supplies to the Second Thomas Shoal within the Philippines exclusive economic zone;
Whereas, on April 11, 2024, the leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States held a trilateral summit in Washington, D.C., to expand trilateral cooperation and bolster a free and open Indo-Pacific and an international order based on international law;
and Whereas, on June 17, 2024, PRC vessels tried to deny the Philippines from lawfully delivering humanitarian supplies to service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre through the dangerous use of water cannons, ramming, blocking maneuvers, and towing which damaged Philippine vessels and injured Philippine service members:
(2) calls on the United States and Philippines to begin joint patrols in the South China Sea;
(2) calls on the United States and Philippines to conduct more joint patrols in the South China Sea, including with other like-minded partners, to underscore the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight;
and (4) welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to ensure we adhere to our commitments to the Philippine people, and to foster a free and open Indo- Pacific for all.
(4) strongly condemns and calls on the People's Republic of China to cease its aggressive and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea;
<all>
(5) welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to ensure we adhere to our commitments to the Philippine people, and to foster a free and open Indo-Pacific for all;
(6) emphasizes that respecting the shared values of democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law, especially with regard to the rights of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, critics of the Government, faith and religious leaders, and civil society activists, will strengthen the alliance between the United States and the Philippines;
and (7) reaffirms the United States unwavering commitment to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines, in accordance with constitutional processes, if an armed attack against the Philippines assets, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard, is committed in the South China Sea.
Attest:
Clerk.
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Action History

  1. Mr. Moylan moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

  2. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6129-6131)

  3. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 837.

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6129)

  5. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6129)

  6. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  7. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  8. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  9. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  10. Introduced in House

  11. Introduced in House

  12. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 43 co-sponsors · 503 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (43)

Not signed on (503)

503 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does HRES 837 do?
This resolution states that the House of Representatives reaffirms the United States commitment to invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty if Philippine assets are attacked in the South China Sea. The resolution also calls on the United States and the Philippines to begin joint patrols in the South China Sea, objects to Chinese sovereignty claims to the South China Sea, and welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (a 2014 agreement enabling the U.S. and Philippine militaries to train together, respond to humanitarian crises, and modernize military capabilities).
Who sponsors HRES 837?
HRES 837 is sponsored by Moylan, James C. (Republican), Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" (Democratic), Gonzales, Tony (Republican), Mace, Nancy (Republican), Bacon, Don (Republican), Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho (Democratic), Mullin, Kevin (Democratic), Vargas, Juan (Democratic), McCormick, Richard (Republican), Titus, Dina (Democratic), Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman (Republican), Smith, Christopher H. (Republican), Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" (Republican), Gimenez, Carlos A. (Republican), Case, Ed (Democratic), Scott, Austin (Republican), Salazar, Maria Elvira (Republican), Dunn, Neal P. (Republican), Carbajal, Salud O. (Democratic), Tokuda, Jill N. (Democratic), Lee, Susie (Democratic), Sherman, Brad (Democratic), Moulton, Seth (Democratic), Kiggans, Jennifer A. (Republican), Wittman, Robert J. (Republican), Moskowitz, Jared (Democratic), Mast, Brian J. (Republican), Baird, James R. (Republican), Gottheimer, Josh (Democratic), Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" (Republican), Gallagher, Mike (Republican), Thanedar, Shri (Democratic), Rose, John W. (Republican), Franklin, Scott (Republican), Miller, Carol D. (Republican), Rutherford, John H. (Republican), Connolly, Gerald E. (Democratic), Schiff, Adam B. (Democratic), Pingree, Chellie (Democratic), Wilson, Joe (Republican), Lawler, Michael (Republican), Jackson, Jonathan L. (Democratic), Krishnamoorthi, Raja (Democratic), and Kean, Thomas H. (Republican).
What is the current status of HRES 837?
This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HRES 837?
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