A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 496.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Uyghur Policy Act of 2026 aims to support the human rights and distinct identities of Uyghurs and other minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). It directs the Secretary of State to prioritize policies and international coordination to protect these groups and advocate for the release of political prisoners. The bill also seeks to pressure the PRC to close detention facilities and allow independent access for monitors. Additionally, it mandates Uyghur language training for certain Foreign Service officers and directs the U.S. to use its influence at the United Nations to monitor human rights abuses in the XUAR.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +9
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?
The bill strongly promotes religious freedom and protects the Islamic identity of Uyghurs against repression.
- Scored +8
Would Asian Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically protects Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups of Asian descent from genocide and repression.
- Scored +8
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill explicitly aims to protect and preserve the distinct ethnic and racial identity of Uyghurs and other minority groups.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Minority Identities: The bill directs the Secretary of State to promote policies that protect the distinct ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic identities of Uyghurs and other minority groups (Section 4(a)(2)).
-
Advocacy for Prisoners: It calls for the release of political prisoners in the XUAR who were detained for exercising their human rights (Section 4(a)(4)).
-
Protection Against Repression: The bill establishes a mechanism for individuals to report incidents of transnational repression against Uyghurs and other minority groups with ties to the XUAR (Section 4(a)(9)).
-
International Monitoring: It seeks the appointment of a special rapporteur for the XUAR to monitor and report on human rights violations and abuses (Section 7(3)).
-
Improved Communication: By providing Uyghur language training and assigning Uyghur-speaking staff to specific diplomatic posts, the U.S. can better engage with these populations (Section 6(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No New Funding: The bill specifies that no additional funds are authorized, meaning the requirements must be carried out using money already authorized for similar purposes, which could limit the effectiveness of the programs (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically protects Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups of Asian descent from genocide and repression. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill protects Uyghur exiles and immigrants from transnational repression by the PRC. Would men be better off under this? — It advocates for the release of men detained in political reeducation centers. Would students be better off under this? — It advocates for the release of detained students, such as Kamile Wayit. Would women be better off under this? — The bill highlights and opposes atrocities including forced sterilization and rape of women in detention. Would children be better off under this? — The bill opposes policies that erode the linguistic and cultural identity of minority children. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — It advocates for the release of adults detained in reeducation camps. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — It protects the human rights of older minority individuals, such as retired doctors. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — It seeks to protect the rights and identities of young minority populations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — The bill strongly promotes religious freedom and protects the Islamic identity of Uyghurs against repression. Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill seeks to end the imprisonment of individuals detained for expressing their political and religious beliefs. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill explicitly aims to protect and preserve the distinct ethnic and racial identity of Uyghurs and other minority groups. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill advocates for the unconditional release of political prisoners detained for their identity or beliefs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill supports the right to dissent and protects those detained for their political beliefs. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — It calls for the closure of extrajudicial detention camps and the release of wrongfully detained prisoners. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill seeks to counter transnational repression, which includes surveillance and harassment.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — It mandates increased diplomatic engagement through language training and specialized staffing in China and Central Asia. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill directs the U.S. to coordinate with international partners and the UN to address human rights abuses.
- 7/27/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 496.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia