Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1772
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T11:03:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to address alleged human rights abuses by the Chinese government by mandating the addition of a specific Chinese forensic institute to a U.S. export control list. This restricts the institute's access to certain U.S. technologies and items, signaling U.S. opposition to repression in China's Xinjiang region targeting Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities.
Key Provisions
- Mandatory Inclusion on Entity List: Within 60 days of 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.
- Entity List Definition: The entity list is a roster maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) within the Department of Commerce. It appears in the Export Administration Regulations (a set of rules governing exports) and limits exports, reexports, and transfers of controlled items (such as dual-use technologies that could have both civilian and military applications) to listed entities.
- Waiver Option: The President, through the Secretary of Commerce, can waive the inclusion if, within 60 days of enactment, they submit a certification to two congressional committees (Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; House Committee on Energy and Commerce). The certification must state that the institute is not:
- Engaging in activities against U.S. foreign policy interests.
- Involved in or contributing to human rights violations, including repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor, and high-technology surveillance against Uyghur, Kazakh, and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a statutory requirement to add a specific foreign entity to the BIS entity list, which is typically updated through administrative processes rather than congressional mandates.
- It provides a narrow waiver mechanism tied to human rights and foreign policy certifications, potentially limiting executive discretion compared to routine entity list additions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Commerce's BIS will face a mandated action, increasing administrative workload for compliance and potential waiver evaluations. Congressional oversight is enhanced through required certifications.
- On Citizens and Businesses: U.S. companies and individuals involved in exports may encounter new restrictions on dealings with the listed institute, potentially disrupting trade in forensic or surveillance-related technologies. This could raise compliance costs but aims to prevent indirect support for human rights abuses.
- On International Relations: The measure could strain U.S.-China relations by targeting a Chinese government-affiliated entity, reinforcing U.S. policies on human rights. It may encourage similar actions by allies but risks retaliatory measures from China affecting bilateral trade or diplomacy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Department of Commerce (BIS), the President, and specified congressional committees, which gain enforcement and oversight roles.
- Chinese Entity: The Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science, facing export restrictions that could limit access to U.S. technologies for forensic and identification work.
- U.S. Exporters and Businesses: Companies dealing in controlled items (e.g., tech firms) that may need to adjust operations to avoid violations.
- Human Rights Advocates and Affected Communities: Groups and individuals concerned with Uyghur and Muslim minority issues in Xinjiang, who may benefit from heightened U.S. scrutiny and restrictions on implicated entities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Leverages existing export control laws (via the Export Administration Regulations) without creating new penalties, but enforces them through a congressional directive. The waiver ties executive action to congressional notification, balancing powers.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over foreign commerce (Article I, Section 8) and foreign affairs, while allowing presidential flexibility through the waiver, respecting separation of powers.
- Political: Introduced by Senators Scott (FL), Blackburn (TN), and Hawley (MO) in the 119th Congress (2025), it reflects bipartisan concerns over Chinese human rights practices. Referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, passage could escalate U.S. sanctions rhetoric without direct economic penalties, potentially influencing broader U.S. policy on China.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2025-05-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (3 pages)