Bill Summary
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the Holodomor, a devastating famine in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933 that resulted from policies enacted by the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. It recognizes the Holodomor as a genocide aimed at breaking Ukrainian resistance to Soviet rule and highlights the systematic starvation, repression, and persecution of the Ukrainian people during this period. The resolution calls for the remembrance of the victims and their families, condemns human rights violations, and encourages the dissemination of information about the famine to promote understanding of its historical significance. Additionally, it condemns the aggression of Vladimir Putin's regime in Ukraine and supports efforts for peace and sovereignty in the region.
Possible Impacts
The resolution recognizing the Holodomor as a genocide can have various effects on people, particularly in the context of awareness, education, and political action. Here are three examples:
1. **Raising Awareness and Education**: The resolution encourages the dissemination of information about the Holodomor, which can lead to increased awareness among the general public about this historical atrocity. Educational institutions may incorporate the events of the Holodomor into their history curricula, fostering a deeper understanding of the consequences of totalitarian regimes and the importance of human rights. This awareness can help prevent similar atrocities in the future by promoting a culture of remembrance and vigilance against oppression.
2. **Support for Ukrainian Identity and Culture**: By formally recognizing the Holodomor as genocide and condemning the actions of the Soviet Union, the resolution may strengthen the sense of national identity among Ukrainians, both in Ukraine and in the diaspora. This recognition can validate the experiences of survivors and their descendants, encouraging cultural preservation efforts and fostering community solidarity. It can also empower Ukrainian communities to advocate for their rights and sovereignty on the global stage.
3. **Political and Diplomatic Implications**: The resolution has potential implications for U.S. foreign policy and international relations, particularly regarding Russia. By condemning current Russian aggression and acknowledging historical injustices, the resolution may influence U.S. support for Ukraine in terms of military aid, economic assistance, and diplomatic efforts. This can empower Ukrainians in their struggle against oppression and contribute to broader discussions about accountability for historical and ongoing human rights violations.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 915 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 915
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Ukrainian
famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor, is recognized as a
genocide and should serve as a reminder of repressive Soviet policies
against the people of Ukraine.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 28, 2025
Mr. Rogers of Alabama (for himself, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Bacon,
Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Moylan, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Sorensen,
Mr. Gimenez, and Mr. Costa) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Ukrainian
famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor, is recognized as a
genocide and should serve as a reminder of repressive Soviet policies
against the people of Ukraine.
Whereas, in 1932 and 1933, millions of Ukrainians perished from a famine
engineered by the former Soviet Union, designed to break the Ukrainian's
resistance to Communist occupation and to provide a cover for a campaign
of repression and persecution carried out by the Soviet Union against
the citizens and culture of Ukraine;
Whereas Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin ordered the borders of Ukraine sealed to
prevent anyone from escaping the manmade starvation and to prevent the
delivery of any international food aid that would provide relief to the
starving;
Whereas the Soviet Union forced the people of Ukraine to relinquish their land,
personal property, and housing to collective farms and then confiscated
grain harvests, starving the men, women, and children of Ukraine;
Whereas nearly a quarter of Ukraine's rural population perished or were forced
into exile due to the induced starvation, and the entire nation suffered
from the consequences of the prolonged famine;
Whereas the Government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian communities in the United
States and worldwide continue their efforts to secure awareness and
understanding of the 1932-1933 tragedy;
Whereas the Commission on the Ukraine Famine, Investigation of the Ukrainian
Famine 1932-1933: Report to Congress, adopted by the Commission, April
19, 1988, and submitted to Congress April 22, 1988, found that in 1932
and 1933, the Government of the Soviet Union had committed genocide
against the Ukrainian people; and
Whereas victims of the Holodomor genocide of 1932-1933 continue to be
remembered: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933, known as
the Holodomor, as a genocide;
(2) solemnly remembers the atrocities of the Holodomor of
1932-1933, and extends its deepest sympathies to the victims,
survivors, and families of this tragedy;
(3) condemns the systematic violations of human rights,
including the starvation, repression, and persecution of the
Ukrainian people by the Soviet Union;
(4) encourages dissemination of information regarding the
Holodomor of 1932-1933 in order to increase an understanding of
the Soviet-engineered genocide denied by the Kremlin for more
than half a century;
(5) condemns Vladimir Putin's brutal and unprovoked war in
Ukraine and his repeated public rejections of the existence of
a Ukrainian people and a sovereign Ukraine; and
(6) strongly supports efforts to advance the path to a
lasting peace in Ukraine and deter future Russian aggression.
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