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Costa’s Cosponsored Resolution Condemning Turkish Guards’ Violence Unanimously Passes in the House

June 8, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – With a unanimous 397 to 0 vote on Tuesday, the United States House of Representatives passed H. Res. 354. Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) cosponsored the resolution, which condemns last month's violent beating of peaceful demonstrators by members of Turkish President Erdoğan's security force and both calls for the security guards to be brought to justice and for measures to be taken to prevent similar future occurrences.

Rep. Costa said of H. Res. 354 and its passage, "This resolution, and the unanimous vote in the House of Representatives in support of passing this resolution, are significant statements that we condemn and simply will not tolerate the illegal and despicable violence perpetrated against peaceful demonstrators by the Turkish guards on May 16th. I am proud to cosponsor such an important resolution, and I will continue to advocate for holding the guards accountable and for measures that will ensure such vile behavior does not happen again."

Congressman Costa continued, "The Turkish guards' actions were outrageous, illegal, and revolting. I, and many of my colleagues, have called on the President to take appropriate diplomatic and legal action against those involved. The fact that the resolution passed the House with a unanimous vote – not a single member voted against the resolution – makes me hopeful that the President will have overwhelming bipartisan support from Congress if he decides to act."

Prior to Tuesday's vote on H. Res. 354, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats held a hearing on the incident. The full House Foreign Affairs Committee passed H. Res. 354 on May 25th. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate, S. Res. 180, on May 25th. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where it currently is waiting committee consideration.