Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3461
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T08:07:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act," aims to address alleged human rights abuses by the Chinese government, specifically targeting a forensic institute linked to repression in China's Xinjiang region. It mandates adding this institute to a U.S. export control list to restrict access to American technology and goods, as a measure to counter activities involving mass detention, forced labor, and surveillance of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities.
Key Provisions
- Mandatory Inclusion on Entity List: Within 60 days of the bill's enactment, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security must add the Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science of China to the "entity list." This includes its aliases: the Forensic Identification Center and the Material Identification Center of the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China.
- Waiver Option: The President, through the Secretary of Commerce, can waive this inclusion if, within 60 days of enactment, they certify to specific congressional committees (House Energy and Commerce; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation) that the institute is not:
- Engaging in activities against U.S. foreign policy interests.
- Involved in or contributing to human rights violations, such as repression, arbitrary detention, forced labor, or high-tech surveillance against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.
- Definition of Entity List: Refers to the list maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce, detailed in the Export Administration Regulations (a set of rules controlling exports for national security and foreign policy reasons). Being on this list generally prohibits or restricts U.S. exports, re-exports, and transfers of items to the listed entity without a license.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a specific, time-bound requirement to add a particular foreign entity to the BIS entity list, which is typically managed through administrative processes based on ongoing assessments.
- It adds a congressional oversight mechanism via the waiver certification, ensuring lawmakers are informed if the addition is avoided, which strengthens legislative influence over executive foreign policy tools like export controls.
- No broader amendments to the Export Administration Regulations are made, but it enforces a targeted application of existing export restrictions tied to human rights concerns.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Commerce's BIS will face an administrative burden to implement the listing (or process a waiver), potentially requiring updates to regulations and license reviews. Congressional committees gain a role in monitoring compliance.
- On Citizens: U.S. businesses and exporters may encounter restrictions on dealings with the institute, limiting sales of technology or goods that could indirectly support surveillance tools. This could affect innovation or markets in forensic and security sectors.
- On International Relations: Likely to heighten U.S.-China tensions, signaling stronger U.S. opposition to China's policies in Xinjiang. It could encourage similar actions by allies or prompt retaliatory measures from China, affecting bilateral trade and diplomatic ties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Entities: Department of Commerce (BIS), the President/Secretary of Commerce, and congressional committees overseeing energy, commerce, and foreign affairs.
- Chinese Entities: The Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science and its aliases, facing restricted access to U.S. technology and exports.
- U.S. Businesses and Exporters: Companies in technology, forensics, and export sectors that previously engaged with the institute, now subject to license requirements or prohibitions.
- Human Rights Advocates and Affected Communities: Groups and individuals focused on Uyghur and Muslim minority rights in China, who may benefit from increased scrutiny and restrictions on abusive tools.
- Chinese Government: Broader implications for the People's Republic of China's Ministry of Public Security and its foreign relations with the U.S.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Leverages existing export control laws (under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018) to enforce human rights policy without new statutory penalties, but the waiver ties executive action to congressional notification, potentially inviting legal challenges if certifications are disputed.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over foreign commerce (Article I, Section 8) and foreign affairs, while respecting presidential flexibility through the waiver, avoiding separation-of-powers conflicts.
- Political: Represents bipartisan concern (introduced by members from both parties) over China's human rights record, potentially setting a precedent for using trade tools against specific entities in authoritarian regimes. It could influence future U.S. policy on global human rights enforcement but risks escalation in U.S.-China rivalry.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (3 pages)