The bill would guide U.S. diplomatic efforts to seek the release of Gao Zhisheng and other political prisoners. It would call for a State Department strategy and a briefing to congressional committees within 120 days of enactment. The bill would also expand an existing prisoner registry to cover political and religious prisoners held by foreign governments worldwide. It would direct the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to prepare case briefs for Members of Congress upon request.
The bill focuses on U.S. diplomacy and congressional information tools. It does not set out direct services or benefits for the public. It calls for advocacy on behalf of political prisoners, including Americans detained abroad and family members affected by detentions or exit bans.
The bill authorizes Congress to provide sums as needed for the case briefs for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. It does not specify an amount. No publicly available information.
The bill states that the United States should use diplomatic and other available tools to seek releases, raise cases with foreign officials, and hold officials accountable for arbitrary detention or torture. It also calls for international coordination and a global prisoner registry.
No publicly available information.