# 119-hr-6056: International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025

119-hr-6056, International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42] (D-CA); status introduced (as of 2026-10-31).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6056
- As of: 2026-10-31
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-6056
- Congress: 119
- Title: International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-11-17
- Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42] (D-CA)
- Cosponsors: 155
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-31

## Summary

**Creates a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ People**. This bill would make the State Department's office the lead for U.S. diplomacy on LGBTQI+ rights, expand reporting on bias-motivated violence abroad, and authorize programs to prevent criminalization and violence. - LGBTQI+ people worldwide would gain a dedicated diplomatic advocate and a biannual global strategy. The bill highlights that 64 countries criminalize same-sex relations and would push decriminalization, stigma reduction, and HIV/AIDS response work. - Activists, local NGOs, and community leaders would get capacity building and a new leadership program to foster collaboration and share successful practices. The Envoy must consult NGOs and monitor the impact of funded activities. - People fleeing persecution and justice systems would see strengthened protections and targeted training. The bill would prioritize protection for people with a well-founded fear of persecution and expand trainings for foreign police, military, and judicial officials to address abuse and discrimination.

## Cosponsors (155)

- Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18] (D-TX), 2026-10-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19] (D-CA), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] (D-IL), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1] (D-NM), 2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] (D-WA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (D-CO), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] (D-TX), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (D-ME), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1] (D-RI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] (D-RI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3] (D-KS), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13] (D-GA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33] (D-TX), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12] (D-NY), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] (D-PA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2] (D-LA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20] (D-FL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (D-WA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] (D-WA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8] (D-VA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37] (D-TX), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (D-CT), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10] (D-NY), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6] (D-MI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] (D-WA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large] (D-DE), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1] (D-MO), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (D-NV), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] (D-MA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22] (D-NY), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (D-MN), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5] (D-CT), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13] (D-NY), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] (D-MA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4] (D-VA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (D-OH), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6] (D-NY), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12] (D-PA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (D-CA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23] (D-FL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3] (D-MI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3] (D-AZ), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25] (D-FL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7] (D-CO), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3] (D-OR), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] (D-CA), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3] (D-IL), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1] (D-HI), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (D-NY), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10] (D-VA), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8] (D-CA), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32] (D-TX), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2] (D-GA), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4] (D-OR), 2025-11-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6] (D-WA), 2025-11-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] (D-MI), 2025-11-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10] (D-FL), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7] (D-TX), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4] (D-MD), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3] (D-KY), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1] (D-IN), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10] (D-WA), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5] (D-MO), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1] (D-NJ), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4] (D-NC), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16] (D-NY), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (D-CA), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] (D-TX), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17] (D-PA), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12] (D-NJ), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4] (D-NV), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] (D-CA), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3] (D-WA), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT), 2025-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] (D-NY), 2025-12-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6] (D-CO), 2025-12-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33] (D-CA), 2025-12-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] (D-AL), 2025-12-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25] (D-NY), 2025-12-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] (D-PA), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34] (D-CA), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D-NJ), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] (D-PA), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large] (D-PR), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26] (D-NY), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] (D-NH), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30] (D-TX), 2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] (D-CT), 2026-02-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11] (D-VA), 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (D-IL), 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22] (D-FL), 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4] (D-AZ), 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (D-MA), 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13] (D-OH), 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (D-FL), 2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8] (D-NJ), 2026-02-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2] (D-ME), 2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2] (D-PA), 2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9] (D-TX), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43] (D-CA), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (D-VA), 2026-04-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7] (D-VA), 2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47] (D-CA), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8] (D-MD), 2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18] (D-NY), 2026-06-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3] (D-MN), 2026-06-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10] (D-NJ), 2026-06-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14] (D-FL), 2026-06-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46] (D-CA), 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5] (D-NY), 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5] (D-GA), 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] (D-TX), 2026-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] (D-CA), 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2] (D-CT), 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11] (D-NJ), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2026-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4] (D-MA), 2026-09-03T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Protection access for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers: benefit, low. If enacted, people who fear persecution for being LGBTQI+ could seek protection in the United States. This would also cover people targeted for supporting LGBTQI+ rights. It is a policy priority and does not change current asylum rules.
- Create LGBTQI+ rights envoy and reporting: benefit, low. If enacted, the State Department would create a Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ human rights. The President would appoint the Envoy; the Senate may confirm at ambassador rank. The Envoy would coordinate policy and programs. They would brief Congress within 180 days and each year after. Country human righ…
- U.S. aid and training for LGBTQI+ rights abroad: benefit, low. If enacted, the State Department could fund aid to protect LGBTQI+ people overseas. This could include legal help, health and HIV support, and activist leadership training. U.S. personnel would add LGBTQI+-specific training for foreign police, military, and judges. The bill does not list funding am…
- New nondiscrimination rules for federal grantees: mixed, low. If enacted, groups that get U.S. federal money would need clear nondiscrimination policies. Policies must cover sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. They would also need to protect staff and program users from harm. This would apply to contracts, grants, and cooperative agr…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-15: Equality Act
- 119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act
- 119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act
- 119-hr-14: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
- 119-hjres-80: Establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-6056 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6056)

## Related
- [119-hr-15: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-15)
- [119-hr-17: Paycheck Fairness Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-17)
- [119-hr-1810: Safe Schools Improvement Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1810)
- [119-hr-14: John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-14)
- [119-hjres-80: Establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hjres-80)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6056 (as of 2026-10-31).