Combatting the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act (H.R.5838/S.3056)

(Pending in the House and the Senate)

The Combatting the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act (H.R.5838) was introduced on October 28, 2025 in the House by Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO), with original cosponsors Reps. Gregory Steube (R-FL), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), and Michael McCaul (R-TX). The Senate version (S.3056) was introduced on October 27, 2025, by Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) for himself and Senators Moody (R-FL), Blackburn (R-TN), Tillis (R-NC), Young (R-IN), and Sullivan (R-AK).

The full title is: “To state the policy of the United States with respect to religious freedom in the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes.” The policy names atrocities specifically suffered by Uyghur Muslims, including arbitrary detention, forced sterilization, torture,and forced labor. 

Rep. Alford highlighted the importance of the bill in an October 27, 2025 press release, saying, “The Chinese Communist Party has perpetrated heinous abuses against religious groups for decades. It’s time for the United States to stand up for religious freedom in China as we have in other parts of the world.”

Senator Budd emphasized the need for U.S. action in a press release on the same day, saying, “As the leader of the free world, the United States must promote religious freedom around the world and hold China’s authoritarian regime responsible for decades of persecution targeting Christians and other religious minorities. The CCP’s restrictions on freedom of religion and cruelty toward religious minorities in China must come to an end.”

The bill:

  • Imposes Global Magnitsky sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for violations of religious freedom, including arbitrary detention, forced labor, forced sterilization, and restriction of religious practice. 
  • Directs the State Department to expand programming to promote religious freedom in the PRC, including by monitoring China’s transnational repression of religious groups.
  • Affirms Congress’s support for designating the PRC as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

Visit the UHRP U.S. Legislation Tracker for other bills endorsed by the Uyghur Human Rights Project.