The U.S. House passes the bipartisan Uyghur Policy Act, advancing measures to protect Uyghurs, close detention camps, and counter China’s repression. The bill now heads to the Senate.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Uyghur Policy Act (H.R. 2635), landmark legislation aimed at supporting the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities facing severe human rights abuses under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Led by Representatives Young Kim (CA-40), Ami Bera (CA-06), and Gregory Meeks (NY-05), the bill passed with strong bipartisan support and is now headed to the Senate for further consideration.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, with Rep. Young Kim taking to the House floor to advocate for the legislation. In a powerful speech, Rep. Kim emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: “For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has orchestrated the forced sterilization, enslavement, and systematic murder of the Uyghur people. The United States cannot sit idly by as innocent families are torn apart, identities are erased, and generations silenced by these atrocious acts of genocide.”
The Uyghur Policy Act introduces a comprehensive strategy to address the ongoing crisis in East Turkistan (Xinjiang), where the CCP has been accused of operating detention camps and committing widespread human rights violations against the Uyghur population and other predominantly Muslim communities. According to the Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU), the legislation will:
Coordinate U.S. efforts to protect Uyghur identity and cultural heritage.
Press for the closure of camps and detention facilities.
Provide support to Uyghur advocates and diaspora communities.
Address transnational repression targeting Uyghurs living abroad.
Rushan Abbas, Founder and Executive Director of the Campaign for Uyghurs, hailed the bill as “a vital step to ensure America stands firmly with the Uyghur people amid China’s ongoing genocide.” The legislation builds on previous efforts, including the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020, which mandated U.S. government reports on CCP abuses and received overwhelming support in both the House and Senate.
Rep. Ami Bera, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, expressed his satisfaction with the bill’s passage, noting: “I am pleased to see the Uyghur Policy Act pass by a strong bipartisan majority in the House.” The bill’s progress reflects a growing international consensus on the need to hold China accountable, as evidenced by a 2022 UN human rights report that documented “serious human rights violations” in Xinjiang, including arbitrary detention and restrictions on religious freedom.
The passage of the Uyghur Policy Act comes at a critical time, with the United States continuing to lead global efforts to counter CCP policies that have been described as genocidal. As the legislation moves to the Senate, advocates and lawmakers remain hopeful that it will further strengthen U.S. support for the Uyghur cause and send a clear message to the international community about the importance of human rights.
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