A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Transnational Repression Policy Act, aims to address actions by foreign governments that intimidate, silence, harass, coerce, or harm private individuals outside their borders. It requires the Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive interagency strategy report to Congress within 270 days of enactment. The legislation mandates specialized training for Department of State personnel and domestic U.S. officials regarding the tactics and perpetrators of transnational repression. Additionally, it directs the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to publish a resource guide, conduct proactive community outreach, organize staff trainings for congressional offices, and produce an assessment on misused data and surveillance technology.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Provides critical protections, outreach, and resources for diaspora and exile communities targeted by foreign regimes.
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
Encourages cooperation with like-minded foreign partners to mitigate transnational repression.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
Addresses the misuse of surveillance technology and data in transnational repression activities.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
Expands definitions of foreign agents and legal authorities which could pose minor risks to civil liberties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 4(b)(2): Provides sufficient funding for civil society and nongovernmental organizations that support victims of transnational repression and conduct research on global trends. This is positive because it directly aids victims and helps track these harmful abuses.
-
Section 4(b)(3)(D): Develops outreach strategies to connect law enforcement and local municipal officials with targeted diaspora communities. This ensures vulnerable individuals are aware of available federal and local resources without putting them at further risk.
-
Section 5(b): Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and other officials, to provide specific training on recognizing and preventing transnational repression. This ensures that domestic law enforcement and federal employees are better equipped to protect vulnerable communities in the United States.
-
Section 6(a)(1): Directs the publication of a toolkit or guide describing existing federal resources to assist and protect individuals and communities targeted by transnational repression in the United States. This gives everyday people clear, accessible directions on where to find help.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 4(b)(3)(A): Considers updates to United States law that could criminalize gathering information about private individuals in diaspora and exile communities, and expands the definition of foreign agents. While intended to stop harassment, expanding legal definitions and authorities can sometimes carry unintended negative impacts on the civil liberties of targeted communities, as noted in Section 4(b)(3)(C).
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 immigrants be better off under this? — Provides critical protections, outreach, and resources for diaspora and exile communities targeted by foreign regimes. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Often directly benefits diaspora communities vulnerable to transnational repression from specific foreign governments. Would students be better off under this? — Safeguards international students studying in the United States from foreign harassment and intimidation. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Protects international students and young activists from foreign coercion.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — Encourages cooperation with like-minded foreign partners to mitigate transnational repression. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Addresses the misuse of surveillance technology and data in transnational repression activities. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — Establishes interagency strategies and reporting requirements for foreign governments engaging in repression. Does this send more money or help to other countries? — Provides funding for civil society and NGOs supporting victims of transnational repression globally. Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — Expands definitions of foreign agents and legal authorities which could pose minor risks to civil liberties.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires comprehensive interagency reporting and unclassified strategy submissions to Congress. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — Protects free expression for activists and dissidents abroad and in diaspora communities. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Targets the commercial sale and export of spyware and personal data used for tracking victims. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal coordination, training, and strategy reporting requirements to combat transnational repression.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — Aims to protect journalists, dissidents, and activists from foreign silencing and coercion. Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — Protects religious and ethnic minority groups from foreign intimidation and harassment. Does this tighten control of the border? — Includes Department of Homeland Security and border personnel in specialized transnational repression training. Does this change how police departments operate? — Improves training for law enforcement to recognize and combat transnational repression.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Directs an assessment on how personally identifiable information and commercial data are misused for surveillance. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — Evaluates and assesses the misuse of data and spyware by commercial entities.
- 3/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska