On Wednesday Congress passed a bill calling China to end its crackdown on Tibet and release Tibetan prisoners were arrested in a protest. Nance Pelosi introduced the bill as the Representative for the only US city on the tour of the Olympic torch.

"It is my hope that the House of Representatives will send a clear message that we support the fundamental freedoms of the Tibetan people and a peaceful solution to the instability in Tibet," Pelosi said Tuesday on the House floor. "It is long past time for Beijing to reassess its failed policy to attack and demonize the Dalai Lama, and show the world it can have civilized discussions as a responsible world power," she said.

The bill also asks the Department of State to add China to its list of the "world's most systematic human rights violators". It also requests that China allow journalists and independent international monitors into Tibet.