FREEDOM for Gao Zhisheng and All Political Prisoners Act
Sponsored By: Representative Smith (NJ)
Introduced
Summary
Creates a U.S.-wide framework to press for the release and protection of political prisoners, with a central focus on Gao Zhisheng. It would tie diplomatic strategy, a public Global Political Prisoner Registry, targeted advocacy, and congressional briefings into a coordinated plan to document cases and push for accountability.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Global prisoner registry and case briefs
If enacted, the current China-only registry would become a Global Political Prisoner Registry covering detainees worldwide. The State Department would share registry information for diplomatic advocacy while protecting sensitive details. The bill defines a political prisoner as someone jailed for exercising human rights, like peaceful expression or religious belief. The Congressional–Executive Commission on China would prepare case briefs for Members of Congress on request and post them online when appropriate. Congress could fund this work as needed for fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
State plan and briefings on prisoners
If enacted, the Secretary of State would brief Congress within 120 days on a plan to embed advocacy for political prisoners across all U.S. missions. The plan would cover cases, work with allies and the U.N., use of sanctions tools, public messaging, registry progress, and resource needs. Briefings would be unclassified, with a classified annex if needed. The House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees would receive these briefings.
U.S. push to free political prisoners
If enacted, the U.S. government would use diplomacy, law, and sanctions to seek the release of political prisoners. It would prioritize cases like Gao Zhisheng and Jimmy Lai, and push to end PRC exit bans. It would work with allies and the United Nations to raise cases and document abuses. The government would report to Congress in an unclassified format, with a classified annex if needed.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Smith (NJ)
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Suozzi
NY • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Moolenaar
MI • R
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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