Hoosier State Today

On June 12, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), along with U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA-02) and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), aimed at enhancing American support for Tibet. The legislation, which had previously passed the Senate, will now be sent to President Biden, who is expected to sign it into law.

The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act seeks to promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama toward a peaceful resolution of the long-standing dispute between Tibet and China.

“Our bipartisan bill will refresh U.S. policy towards Tibet and push for negotiations that advance freedom for the Tibetan people and a peaceful resolution to the Chinese Communist Party’s conflict with the Dalai Lama,” said Senator Young. “Congressional passage of this legislation further demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is not acceptable.”

Senator Merkley added, “The people of Tibet deserve to be in charge of their own future, and today Congress has voted to stand with Tibetans in their struggle for freedom and self-determination.”

Representative McGovern emphasized America's support for human dignity: “Let the overwhelming passage of our strong, bipartisan bill be a clear message to the Tibetan people: America stands with you on the side of human dignity.”

Representative McCaul highlighted religious freedoms: “Tibetans, like all people, have the right to religious freedom – which includes freedom from CCP surveillance, censorship, and detention.”

The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act empowers State Department officials to counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government actively. It rejects claims that Tibet has been part of China since "ancient times," pushes for negotiations without preconditions between Chinese authorities and Tibetan representatives or leaders, and affirms coordination with other governments toward a negotiated agreement on Tibet.

No formal dialogue between Tibetan and Chinese authorities has occurred since 2010 due to unreasonable demands made by Chinese officials as conditions for further discussions.

“This latest indication of American support of Tibet is a source of hope and encouragement,” said International Campaign for Tibet President Tencho Gyatso. He thanked Senators Merkley and Young, Chairman McCaul, and Representative McGovern for their leadership.

In addition to Senators Merkley and Young, cosponsors include Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).