WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) released the following statement in support of House Resolution 683 to express the regret of the House of Representatives for the passage of laws that adversely affected the Chinese in the United States, including the Chinese Exclusion Act:

“Throughout our history, America has been a country of promise and opportunity. While we have done much to fulfill that promise, we’ve also made serious missteps and we didn’t always get it right. More than a century ago, Congress enacted legislation that discriminated against people of Chinese origin and went against the very principles of liberty and opportunity for all that our country has always held dear. Today, as a sign of friendship to the many Chinese-Americans who are an essential part of the fabric of our nation, the House formally acknowledged these wrongs. I thank Representative Chu for submitting this resolution and I am proud that the House had the opportunity to consider it today.”