U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and Jeff Merkley introduced the Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act on March 11. The bipartisan bill seeks to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for organ harvesting in China and requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) policies regarding organ harvesting and its transplant system.
The issue is significant because it addresses ongoing human rights concerns related to forced organ harvesting, particularly targeting religious minorities such as Falun Gong practitioners. The legislation aims to hold accountable those involved in these practices.
"The Chinese Communist Party operates a brutal, state-sponsored organ harvesting industry that targets people for their faith. The CCP has in particular targeted Falun Gong practitioners, committing assaults on religious liberty and fundamental human rights. The United States should hold accountable those who have committed these atrocities, I’m grateful to Senator Merkley for joining me in introducing this critical bipartisan legislation and urge our colleagues to expeditiously advance it," Cruz said.
Merkley said, "China’s campaign of repression and human rights abuses continue to have horrific consequences, including reports of forced organ harvesting from vulnerable groups across the PRC. We must stand up for the victims of these crimes, and our bipartisan effort holds the Chinese government accountable for its abuses."
Falun Gong is a movement founded by Li Hongzhi in China during the early 1990s that grew rapidly throughout that decade. According to information provided by the senators, the CCP outlawed Falun Gong in 1999, leading to mass arrests, torture, detention in labor camps, and forced organ harvesting from practitioners. These organs are reportedly used both within China and trafficked overseas.
Cruz previously introduced similar legislation—the Falun Gong Protection Act—in March 2025.
In recent years, Cruz has maintained his Senate seat through several elections: In 2024 he defeated Colin Allred with 53.1% of the vote compared to Allred's 44.6%, according to official election results; he won against Beto O'Rourke in 2018 with a margin of 50.9% to 48.3%; and he first secured his seat by defeating Paul Sadler in 2012 with a result of 56.5% versus Sadler's 40.6%.
