Transnational Repression Policy Act (H.R.4829/S.2525)

(Pending in the House and the Senate)

The bipartisan Transnational Repression Policy Act (H.R.4829) was introduced in the House by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), with original cosponsor Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), on August 1, 2025. The Senate version (S.2525) was introduced on July 29, 2025 by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) for himself and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK).

The full title is: “To address transnational repression by foreign governments against private individuals, and for other purposes.”

Senator Sullivan expressed the urgency of this issue in a July 31, 2025 press release, saying, “Authoritarian regimes like the Chinese Communist Party are exporting repression and fear to our shores – intimidating American citizens right here at home. It is outrageous and unacceptable.”

Senator Merkley explained the bill’s comprehensive scope in the same press release, saying, “This bipartisan bill lays out a clear, whole-of-government strategy to elevate this issue in our diplomacy, mobilize federal agencies to protect at-risk communities, and push back against the growing threat to human rights and free expression.”

This bill aims to protect people in the U.S. and abroad from foreign government harassment, intimidation, and attacks (known as transnational repression), strengthen U.S. strategy and law enforcement tools, and coordinate with allies to hold perpetrators accountable.

The bill:

  1. Requires U.S. to protect residents from foreign government intimidation and human rights violations, work with allies to counter transnational repression, and prosecute perpetrators, including unregistered foreign agents.
  1. Defines transnational repression as a foreign government operating beyond their borders to harass, silence, surveil, or harm dissidents, journalists, activists, minorities, students, and diaspora communities. 
  1. Directs the State Department to develop a strategy for combating TNR, including:
    1. Diplomatic collaboration with international allies and multilateral organizations,
    2. Funding for civil society groups researching TNR and supporting victims,
    3. Coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement,
    4. Outreach to targeted diaspora communities while safeguarding their civil liberties.
  2. Directs the State Department, Justice Department, and Homeland Security Department to provide training to federal, state, and local officials on TNR tactics, patterns, affected communities, and relevant U.S. policies.

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