119-SRES226

Resolution is currently in: Senate
Passed:

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 226

Condemning the Government of the People’s Republic of China for engaging in transnational repression.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2025

Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Curtis) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Whereas transnational repression refers to actions by foreign governments that cross national borders to intimidate, silence, coerce, or harm individuals, including members of diaspora and exile communities, in order to suppress dissent and control political expression;

Whereas the Government of the People’s Republic of China, as the world’s most prolific perpetrator of transnational repression, is carrying out a coordinated campaign to surveil, harass, threaten, and coerce individuals living abroad, including people who are lawfully residing in the United States;

Whereas these actions have targeted political dissidents, human rights defenders, and ethnic and religious communities, including Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hongkongers;

Whereas the Government of the People’s Republic of China's efforts to intimidate and control individuals residing in the United States, often through covert operations or unregistered agents, constitute a violation of United States sovereignty and an affront to the rule of law; and

Whereas the Government of the People’s Republic of China, in coordination with local authorities, has also sought to exert pressure by harassing, threatening, or unlawfully detaining the family members of such individuals who are still residing in the People's Republic of China or regions controlled by the Government of the People's Republic of China, and by engaging in other acts of harassment targeting such family members, including the confiscation of property, freezing of financial assets, and cancellation of passports to restrict freedom of movement: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1) - condemns the Government of the People’s Republic of China for its systematic campaign of transnational repression;

(2) - affirms that all individuals residing in the United States have the right to live free from foreign government intimidation, coercion, and surveillance;

(3) - declares that acts of transnational repression carried out by the Government of the People’s Republic of China in the United States violate our Nation's sovereignty and democratic values;

(4) - recognizes that the Government of the People’s Republic of China’s harassment, threats, or unlawful detention of the family members of such individuals who are residing in the People's Republic of China or regions controlled by the Government of the People's Republic of China is an extension of this repression and a violation of basic human rights; and

(5) - supports efforts by the United States Government to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who carry out or enable such activities.