Bill · H.R. 5303· House(119-HR-5303)
FREEDOM for Gao Zhisheng and All Political Prisoners Act
- Introduced
- 9/11/2025
- Last activity
- 9/11/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Smith
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to support the Department of State in advocating for the release of Gao Zhisheng and other political prisoners in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and worldwide. It establishes policies to use diplomatic tools and sanctions to hold foreign officials accountable for arbitrary detention and torture. The bill requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for political prisoner advocacy and expands a registry to track such prisoners globally. It also directs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to provide issue briefs to Members of Congress.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+8
The bill mandates a comprehensive diplomatic strategy to advocate for the release of political prisoners globally.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+7
The bill supports the release of individuals detained for exercising their right to free expression.
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?+7
The bill actively advocates for the release of religious prisoners and targets those persecuting religious minorities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Release of Prisoners: The bill directs the U.S. to use all available diplomatic tools to press for the release of political prisoners, which may lead to lighter sentences or release from custody (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Protection of Americans: The bill specifically seeks the release of wrongfully detained Americans in the People's Republic of China (Section 3(a)(2)).
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Ending "Exit Bans": The bill seeks to end the use of exit bans by the Chinese government that pressure U.S. citizens to have relatives return to China for commercial disputes or criminal charges (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Accountability for Abusers: Individuals responsible for arbitrary detention or torture may be held accountable through various sanctions, such as the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Section 3(b)).
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Support for Families and Defenders: The bill requires a strategy to support human rights defenders, independent media, and the families of political prisoners (Section 4(b)(5)).
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Global Monitoring: The creation of a Global Political Prisoner Registry helps document and highlight the cases of individuals imprisoned for exercising human rights worldwide (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups in the United States are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+7Improves Due Process+6Improves Government Transparency+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+7Improves Religious Freedom+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Diplomatic Engagement+8Improves International Alliances+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Asian Americans+6Good For Immigrants+4
- 9/11/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
John MoolenaarRepublican · Michigan
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York