Bill · S. 1542· Senate(119-S-1542)
Uyghur Policy Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/30/2025
- Last activity
- 7/27/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 496.
- Sponsored by
- John Curtis
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Uyghur Policy Act of 2026 aims to support the human rights and distinct identities of Uyghurs and other minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). It directs the Secretary of State to prioritize policies and international coordination to protect these groups and advocate for the release of political prisoners. The bill also seeks to pressure the PRC to close detention facilities and allow independent access for monitors. Additionally, it mandates Uyghur language training for certain Foreign Service officers and directs the U.S. to use its influence at the United Nations to monitor human rights abuses in the XUAR.
Yes· 3 of 18
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?+9
The bill strongly promotes religious freedom and protects the Islamic identity of Uyghurs against repression.
Would Asian Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically protects Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups of Asian descent from genocide and repression.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+8
The bill explicitly aims to protect and preserve the distinct ethnic and racial identity of Uyghurs and other minority groups.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Minority Identities: The bill directs the Secretary of State to promote policies that protect the distinct ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic identities of Uyghurs and other minority groups (Section 4(a)(2)).
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Advocacy for Prisoners: It calls for the release of political prisoners in the XUAR who were detained for exercising their human rights (Section 4(a)(4)).
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Protection Against Repression: The bill establishes a mechanism for individuals to report incidents of transnational repression against Uyghurs and other minority groups with ties to the XUAR (Section 4(a)(9)).
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International Monitoring: It seeks the appointment of a special rapporteur for the XUAR to monitor and report on human rights violations and abuses (Section 7(3)).
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Improved Communication: By providing Uyghur language training and assigning Uyghur-speaking staff to specific diplomatic posts, the U.S. can better engage with these populations (Section 6(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No New Funding: The bill specifies that no additional funds are authorized, meaning the requirements must be carried out using money already authorized for similar purposes, which could limit the effectiveness of the programs (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Asian Americans+8Good For Immigrants+7Good For Men+6Good For Students+6Good For Women+6Good For Children+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Young Adults+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Religious Freedom+9Improves Freedom Of Speech+8Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+8Improves Due Process+7Improves Privacy Rights+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Diplomatic Engagement+7Improves International Alliances+6
- 7/27/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 496.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia