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S3426119th Congress

International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

A permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ People would lead a coordinated U.S. foreign policy and a biannual global strategy to prevent criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ people worldwide.

Show full summary
  • LGBTQI+ people and asylum seekers: the bill would direct U.S. policy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence and to guarantee protection and asylum opportunities for those with well-founded fears of persecution.
  • Local partners and governments: it would require regular consultations with nongovernmental organizations and push for capacity building across health, education, legal, and social sectors to support inclusion and safety.
  • U.S. agencies and foreign officials: the Secretary of State and the Special Envoy would coordinate interagency action, deploy resources for protection and resettlement, train military, police, and judicial officials on LGBTQI+ rights, and require nondiscrimination from federal funding recipients.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New U.S. Envoy for LGBTQI+ Rights

If enacted, the bill would create a permanent Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ People at the State Department. The President would appoint the Envoy as an Ambassador with Senate confirmation. The Envoy would coordinate U.S. foreign policy and direct State Department activities and funding on LGBTQI+ human rights. The Envoy must brief Congress within 180 days and annually. The Envoy must produce a global strategy within 180 days and update it every two years.

U.S. Grants to Protect LGBTQI+ People

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of State fund programs to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ people abroad. Grants could support legal reform, police and court training, and protection programs. Grants could help health systems detect and respond to violence and fight HIV/AIDS. Health activities must be coordinated with the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy. The bill would also support leadership programs for international LGBTQI+ activists.

Nondiscrimination Rules for Federal Grantees

If enacted, the bill would require all recipients of Federal funding to adopt nondiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The rule would apply to contractors, grant recipients, and cooperative agreement holders for both acquisition and assistance. Recipients would also need to take effective measures to protect staff and program beneficiaries. This would increase protections for LGBTQI+ people but create new compliance obligations for fund recipients.

Add LGBTQI+ Data to U.S. Reports

If enacted, the bill would require U.S. human rights reports to include information on criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. Reports must identify countries that have laws or constitutions that criminalize or discriminate. Reports must describe those laws and provisions wherever applicable.

Clear Definitions for Key Terms

If enacted, the bill would define terms used across the law and reports. It would name the appropriate congressional committees for briefings. It would define gender identity, intersex, LGBTQI+, and sexual orientation for implementation and reporting. These definitions would guide how agencies apply the Act and write reports.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 1/28/2026

  • Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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