US Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill Targeting Forced Organ Harvesting in China

On Sept. 28, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation aimed at combating the heinous practice of forced organ harvesting in China and holding individuals involved to account.

The Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act (S.4009), introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), was approved as amended by unanimous consent. The legislation would authorize sanctions against foreign individuals found to have participated in or facilitated forced organ harvesting in China and require the State Department to report to Congress on China’s organ transplant system and related practices.

The measure reflects unusually broad bipartisan cooperation over forced organ harvesting targeting prisoners of conscience and other vulnerable groups targeted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

RELATED: Toronto Attack on Falun Gong Practitioner Draws Calls for Federal Scrutiny

Legislation advances

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved S.4009 on June 17 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill was subsequently reported to the Senate and placed on the legislative calendar as Calendar No. 506 before its passage on Sept. 28.

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The legislation follows the House’s passage in May 2025 of the Falun Gong Protection Act (H.R.1540), which likewise calls for sanctions and transparency linked to forced organ harvesting in China.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice rooted in the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Despite being peaceful in nature, the CCP launched a brutal campaign to eradicate the practice in July 1999 after seeing its rapid rise in popularity as a threat to its authoritarian regime. Since then, thousands of practitioners have perished at the hands of Chinese police, with many today still undergoing routine monitoring, arbitrary travel bans, and arrests.

Increased oversight

The House measure establishes a U.S. policy of avoiding cooperation with China in the organ transplantation field while the CCP remains in power and calls for coordination with allies on sanctions and visa restrictions related to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. It would also require sanctions against foreign individuals identified as knowingly participating in or facilitating forced organ harvesting in China, including asset freezes and restrictions on entry into the United States.

During House debate, supporters said the legislation was intended to identify individuals and entities implicated in forced organ harvesting, strengthen State Department reporting requirements, and use targeted sanctions to increase accountability. The measure passed the House on May 5, 2025, before being sent to the Senate.

Because the House and Senate measures are not identical, further congressional action is required before legislation can be sent to the president. The House could take up the Senate bill, or lawmakers could reconcile differences between the two measures.

Sanctions and visa restrictions

S.4009 defines forced organ harvesting as the removal of organs through coercion, abduction, deception, fraud, abuse of power, or exploitation of vulnerability. The bill would authorize measures including property-blocking sanctions and visa restrictions against foreign nationals determined to have knowingly engaged, participated in, or facilitated forced organ harvesting in China.

RELATED: Surviving the Unspeakable: One Man’s Fight Against CCP-Sanctioned Organ Harvesting

It would also require the State Department to provide Congress with information on China’s organ transplant policies and practices, including allegations involving prisoners of conscience such as Falun Gong practitioners and other detained groups.

Cruz said when introducing the legislation that the CCP had particularly targeted Falun Gong practitioners and argued that the United States should hold those responsible for abuses accountable. Merkley cited reports of forced organ harvesting involving vulnerable groups across China and said the bipartisan measure was intended to increase accountability.

Supporters call for action

Ahead of the Senate vote, lawmakers, activists, and members of the public backed petitions urging Congress to advance legislation addressing forced organ harvesting.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), sponsor of the House Falun Gong Protection Act, said, “No matter what party you belong to, no matter what your faith is, no one thinks forced organ harvesting and slavery are acceptable. That is something we can all agree on.”

Delaware state Rep. Michael Smith, a Democrat, said, “The atrocities committed by the CCP against people are horrifying. As Americans, we have to take a stand.”

Artist and writer Mula, who signed a petition supporting the legislation, said congressional representatives needed to hear directly from the public. “Official action needs to be taken,” Mula said, adding, “We have representatives, and we need to speak up and make our voices heard by those representatives. A petition is one way to accomplish that.”

Delaware resident Edi Avoic, who signed the petition with his wife, described bodily autonomy as fundamental to other rights. “Bodily autonomy is the cornerstone of every other right. If you lose that, you lose everything,” he said. “So taking that right away without a person’s consent, whether that person responds violently or peacefully, is unacceptable.”