A joint resolution in support of the restoration of a free and independent Cambodia and the protection of the Cambodian people from a return to power by the genocidal Khmer Rouge.
Public Law 100-502 · H.J.Res. 602 · 100th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Oct 18, 1988 · International Affairs
Sponsor: Rep. Chester Atkins (D-MA-5)
Cosponsors (60): Rep. Thomas Foley, Rep. Anthony Coelho,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Declares that all parties seeking a settlement of the conflict in Cambodia, including the United States, should have among their highest priorities the restoration of an independent Cambodia and the protection of the Cambodian people from a return to power by the Khmer Rouge. Calls on Vietnam to withdraw its forces from Cambodia and deny haven to the Khmer Rouge. Declares that the United States and the international community should use all means available to prevent a return to power of Pol Pot.
States that the United States should seek the support of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other nations for the inclusion, in United Nations resolutions relating to Cambodia of the principle that those responsible for acts of genocide and human rights violations shall not return to power in Cambodia upon the withdrawal of foreign occupation forces. Encourages support of non-Communist Cambodian forces. Declares that the United States, in consultation with ASEAN, should consider whether a Cambodian settlement could be facilitated by an international conference on Cambodia and international peacekeeping forces. Declares that the United States should seek to ensure that: (1) the Khmer Rouge controlled refugee camps are opened to inspection by international organizations; and (2) those within such camps have the freedom to move to non-Khmer Rouge camps if they desire to do so. States that the United States should attempt to halt the flow of arms to the Khmer Rouge by urging nations that support the Khmer Rouge to cease doing so.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Foreign Affairs Committee · House · markup by, referred toSubcommittee: East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee; Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 15 actions.
- Oct 18, 1988Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 100-502.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 7, 1988PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Sep 16, 1988FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote.
- Sep 14, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Aug 10, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Aug 8, 1988FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Aug 3, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Foreign Affairs Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Jul 28, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Reported by East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Jul 11, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Referred to East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Jun 30, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.