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119-s-1542119th CongressWALLET

Uyghur Policy Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would center U.S. diplomacy on pressing the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to stop its repression and to protect the distinct cultural, religious, and linguistic identity of Uyghurs and other minorities. It would require targeted diplomatic steps, reporting, and limited public diplomacy funding to support Uyghur rights and accountability efforts.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Small speaker grants for Uyghur advocates

If enacted, $250,000 would be made available each fiscal year for 2025, 2026, and 2027 from the U.S. Speaker Program to bring Uyghur and other persecuted minority human rights advocates to public diplomacy events. The Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs would pick speakers after consulting global Uyghur community representatives.

Uyghur language training for diplomats

If enacted, the State Department would make Uyghur language training available to Foreign Service officers and would try to assign at least one Uyghur‑speaking officer to each U.S. diplomatic or consular post in China. The Foreign Service Institute would report on steps taken within 1 year and then once a year for two more years.

No new funding for this Act

If enacted, the bill would not authorize any new, dedicated funding to carry out its requirements. Agencies would have to use amounts already authorized for similar purposes to meet the Act's duties.

U.S. diplomatic push for Uyghurs

If enacted, the Secretary of State would be required to prioritize U.S. policies and programs that support Uyghurs and other minorities from Xinjiang. The Secretary would coordinate releases of political prisoners, support independent media, and work with partners and the UN to press China to allow monitors. Within 180 days the Secretary would produce a strategy to close detention and "reeducation" camps and report to Congress within 1 year. These diplomatic duties would sunset five years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

UT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/17/2026

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 7/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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