Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

S.1772 - Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act (119th Congress)

Summary

S.1772, the "Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act," aims to include the Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science of China on the Department of Commerce's entity list. This would restrict exports and re-exports to the listed entity. The bill allows for a waiver if the President certifies that the Institute is not engaged in activities contrary to US foreign policy interests or implicated in human rights abuses against Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.

Expected Effects

The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to restrict the Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science of China's access to certain goods and technologies from the United States. This could hinder their operations and potentially limit their ability to engage in activities deemed harmful by the US. The waiver provision provides flexibility based on the President's assessment of the situation.

Potential Benefits

  • May deter human rights abuses by limiting access to technology used for surveillance or repression.
  • Strengthens US foreign policy by signaling disapproval of the Chinese government's actions in Xinjiang.
  • Potentially improves international standing by demonstrating a commitment to human rights.
  • Could encourage other countries to take similar actions, increasing pressure on China.
  • May protect US companies from inadvertently contributing to human rights abuses.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Could strain diplomatic relations with China.
  • May have limited practical impact if the Institute can source similar technology elsewhere.
  • The waiver provision could be used to circumvent the restrictions, weakening the bill's impact.
  • Potential for retaliatory measures from China, harming US businesses.
  • May disproportionately affect legitimate scientific collaboration.

Constitutional Alignment

While the bill itself does not directly implicate specific constitutional provisions, its focus on human rights aligns with the broader principles of liberty and justice. Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The bill's impact on individual liberties within the US is minimal, as it primarily targets a foreign entity.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).