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SRES 226119th CongressIntroduced

A resolution condemning the Government of the People's Republic of China for engaging in transnational repression.

Introduced: May 14, 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-Oregon)
Civil Rights & JusticeDefense & National Security
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This Senate resolution condemns the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for engaging in transnational repression—cross-border actions intended to intimidate, harass, coerce, or harm individuals living abroad, including diaspora and exile communities. It identifies dissidents, human rights defenders, and ethnic/religious groups (notably Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hongkongers) as targets, including those in the United States. The measure asserts that such repression violates U.S. sovereignty and democratic values and notes that the PRC sometimes harasses family members inside China as part of its intimidation. It calls for continued U.S. government efforts to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who carry out or enable these activities. The resolution is a non-binding statement of policy rather than new law, designed to express the Senate’s stance and encourage action by the executive branch and allies.

Key Points

  • 1Condemns the PRC for a systematic, coordinated campaign of transnational repression aimed at dissenters abroad, including in the United States.
  • 2Affirms that all people in the United States have the right to live free from foreign government intimidation, coercion, and surveillance.
  • 3Declares that PRC actions against individuals in the United States violate U.S. sovereignty and democratic values.
  • 4Recognizes that harassment or threats against family members in the PRC or regions controlled by the PRC are an extension of repression and a human rights violation.
  • 5Supports U.S. government efforts to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who carry out or enable such transnational repression.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Individuals residing in the United States who are dissidents, human rights defenders, or members of diaspora communities (e.g., Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers) who are targeted by PRC repression or pressure campaigns.Secondary group/area affected: The Government of the PRC and its agents, including those operating covertly or via unregistered channels; U.S. law enforcement and intelligence communities involved in countering transnational repression.Additional impacts: Signals a strong bipartisan stance that may influence future legislation, sanctions, visa policies, and other diplomatic or enforcement measures; may inform international cooperation and human rights advocacy; could shape ongoing U.S. policy discussions about protecting civil liberties and countering foreign intimidation abroad.
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