Sponsors (2)
Official title: State the policy of the United States with respect to international religious freedom in the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 7, 2026 by Theodore Paul Budd · Last progress August 7, 2026
The bill strengthens U.S. recognition, documentation, and targeted measures against religious persecution in China—potentially helping vulnerable communities and increasing accountability—while risking higher diplomatic tensions with China and added taxpayer costs and administrative burdens.
Religious minority communities in China (Tibetan, Uyghur, Christian, Falun Gong) gain stronger U.S. recognition of abuses and greater international advocacy and visibility, which raises pressure on the PRC and supports victims' claims.
Perpetrators and responsible PRC officials become subject to targeted measures (visa bans, asset restrictions), creating a deterrent and a mechanism to hold individuals accountable.
U.S.-funded programs to document and monitor transnational repression improve evidence-gathering, international awareness, and support for defenders and at-risk communities.
U.S. businesses, travelers, immigrants, and taxpayers face a higher risk of escalated U.S.–China diplomatic tensions that could harm trade, cooperation, and the safety or ease of travel for Americans abroad.
Taxpayers could incur increased government spending to fund monitoring programs, sanctions implementation, grants, and related diplomatic activities.
Chinese nationals, immigrants, and U.S. citizens seeking consular services may face complications or reduced access if sanctions and diplomatic pressure strain consular relationships.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Declares PRC officials responsible for severe religious freedom abuses as possible targets for Global Magnitsky sanctions, directs diplomacy and monitoring, and requires annual congressional briefings.
Designates U.S. policy to treat PRC officials responsible for severe abuses of religious freedom as potential targets for Global Magnitsky sanctions, directs diplomatic and monitoring efforts to support persecuted religious and ethnic minority groups in China, and requires an annual briefing to Congress on sanctions, diplomatic actions, and cases of religious prisoners. It also directs State Department bureaus to support programs that document abuses, monitor transnational repression, and promote international religious freedom within and outside the PRC. The bill affirms that the PRC has been a designated “country of particular concern” for religious freedom since 1999 and urges strengthened bilateral and multilateral advocacy, calls for the release and humane treatment of religious prisoners, and asks faith and human rights communities worldwide to increase solidarity and documentation efforts.