House unanimously passes bill that sanctions Chinese government over forced organ harvesting

The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed a bill that sanctions Chinese government officials and others involved in China's forced organ harvesting operation, which included harvesting organs of members of the Falun Gong spiritual group.

The "Falun Gong Protection Act," introduced by Pennsylania GOP Rep. Scott Perry, directs President Donald Trump to provide Congress with a list of foreign nationals believed to have taken part in the operation within 180 days of its enactment.

The legislation invalidates the U.S. visas of people on the list, blocks an offender from entering the United States, and stops any other immigration benefits the individual receives, per The Epoch Times. Those who violate the sanctions could face a civil fine of $250,000 and criminal punishment of up to $1 million and 20 years in prison.

Perry praised the passage in a statement, stating he believed the legislation was something both political parties in the United States could unite behind.

“It’s incredibly important there has to be some consequence to this barbaric and horrific behavior,” Perry told the outlet. “The United States should be a leader and show the world the way. We must do it and force the rest of the world to acknowledge it.”

Members of the Falun Gong spiritual group, which promotes teachings based on the values of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, have been persecuted in China since the late 1990s. The Chinese government has also jailed members of the group and placed them into forced labor. 

The legislation additionally directs the presidential administration to stop working with China on transplants while the current regime is in power, and requires the Secretary of State in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health to submit a report within a year that highlights China’s organ transplant policies and practices.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.