No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1724
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-06: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:53:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act" (H.R. 1724) aims to prevent U.S. government funds from supporting activities in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) that involve goods produced through forced labor. It builds on existing U.S. efforts to combat human rights abuses, such as forced labor, by restricting how foreign aid money is spent.
Key Provisions
- Funding Prohibition: No funds appropriated to the Department of State or the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) can be used for policies, programs, or contracts that knowingly involve goods (e.g., mined, produced, or manufactured items) from the XUAR or from "covered entities" (companies identified under prior laws for ties to forced labor in the region), unless explicitly allowed.
- Exceptions with Authorization: The Secretary of State can approve such activities if:
- A written assurance is obtained from program partners, implementers, or contractors that they will avoid using prohibited goods and will set up a system to ensure compliance.
- The Secretary notifies the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee at least 15 days in advance.
- The activity is not otherwise banned by law.
- Reporting Requirements: The Secretary of State must submit an annual report to the same congressional committees for three years, covering:
- Any prohibited activities that occurred without authorization.
- Challenges in enforcing the rules.
- A plan to strengthen enforcement.
- Definitions:
- "Covered entity": Refers to entities listed under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (Public Law 117-78) for involvement in forced labor in Xinjiang.
- "Forced labor": Defined as labor performed involuntarily under penalty, as outlined in the Tariff Act of 1930 (a law banning imports made with forced labor).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces new restrictions specifically targeting State Department and USAID funding, complementing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (2021), which bans imports of Xinjiang-linked goods but does not directly address U.S. aid spending. It adds oversight through required assurances, notifications, and reporting, which were not previously mandated for these agencies in this context.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The State Department and USAID may face increased administrative burdens, such as vetting partners and monitoring supply chains, potentially delaying or limiting programs in or related to the XUAR.
- On Citizens and Contractors: U.S.-funded aid implementers (e.g., NGOs or companies) must adopt compliance systems to avoid prohibited goods, which could raise costs and complicate operations in sensitive regions.
- On International Relations: It signals stronger U.S. opposition to alleged forced labor in China, possibly straining diplomatic ties with Beijing and affecting broader U.S.-China cooperation on global issues like aid or trade.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Entities: Department of State and USAID, responsible for compliance and reporting.
- Congressional Committees: House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, which receive notifications and reports.
- Program Partners and Contractors: NGOs, businesses, and implementers of U.S. aid programs, who must provide assurances and ensure supply chain transparency.
- International Actors: The Chinese government and entities in Xinjiang, indirectly affected by reduced U.S. engagement; Uyghur communities and human rights advocates, who may benefit from heightened scrutiny.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of anti-forced labor laws by extending them to aid spending, potentially setting a precedent for conditioning U.S. funds on human rights standards. It relies on executive discretion (via the Secretary's authorizations) but includes congressional oversight to balance power.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over appropriations (under Article I), ensuring taxpayer funds align with foreign policy goals without infringing on executive foreign affairs powers.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan push on human rights, escalating U.S. pressure on China amid ongoing tensions. It could influence future legislation on supply chains and trade, but risks diplomatic backlash if perceived as overly punitive.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-06: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-05-05: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-05-05: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1833)
- 2025-05-05: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1833)
- 2025-05-05: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1724.
- 2025-05-05: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1833-1834)
- 2025-05-05: Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (6 pages)
- No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (4 pages)
- No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (4 pages)