Transnational Repression Policy Act
Transnational Repression Policy Act is a policy-oriented bill that seeks to counter and deter foreign governments' acts—directly or through agents—that suppress or harm individuals beyond their borders. It directs the United States to protect people inside the U.S. and U.S. nationals abroad, pursue accountability through criminal prosecutions and mutual legal assistance, and expand international cooperation with like-minded partners. The bill would require a comprehensive interagency strategy, expanded training for federal personnel (and some domestic actors), and the development of practical tools and outreach to targeted communities. It also contemplates potential shifts in law enforcement authorities and public reporting of activities tied to transnational repression, while ensuring civil liberties considerations are considered. Funding would be authorized for 2026 to develop curricula, conduct training, and support related activities. In short, the bill aims to formalize a U.S. government-wide approach to identify, prevent, and respond to transnational repression, both at home and abroad, through strategy development, capacity-building, law-enforcement enhancements, and international engagement.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a policy framework to protect individuals in the United States and U.S. nationals abroad from transnational repression by foreign governments or their agents, and to pursue criminal prosecutions and mutual legal assistance as appropriate.
- 2Defines transnational repression and identifies who may be targeted (e.g., political dissidents, activists, journalists, political opponents, religious/ethnic minorities, students, diaspora members).
- 3Requres an interagency strategy within 270 days of enactment, including: international awareness, accountability measures to raise costs on offending governments, and enhanced collaboration with allies and multilateral bodies; plus sections on diplomacy, assistance programs, law enforcement, and oversight of overseas police presence, with a view to monitoring and responding to cases and expulsions/reprisals against human rights defenders.
- 4Calls for potential updates to U.S. law (e.g., expanding tools under FARA and other authorities) and for coordinated law enforcement efforts across FBI, DHS, DOS, intelligence agencies, and domestic police to counter transnational repression, including outreach to diaspora communities and civil liberties considerations.
- 5Requires training programs: (a) for Department of State personnel (including overseas mission leadership) on tactics, perpetrators, digital surveillance, and policy priorities; and (b) for domestic law enforcement and related agencies (DOJ, DHS components like CBP, USCIS, ICE, and others) on similar topics, with funding authorized for 2026 to develop curricula and deliver training; includes engagement with private sector and community partners.
- 6Directs DHS and DOJ to publish a toolkit within 270 days describing existing federal resources for protection and assistance; conduct proactive outreach to inform targeted communities about reporting criminal incidents to the FBI; hold annual trainings for congressional office caseworkers; and assess how data used by repressive governments (e.g., spyware, PII markets, export controls) is misused and what shortcomings exist in export controls and related enforcement.
- 7Authorizes funding for 2026 to support research, development, outreach, and training related to the above activities.