Bill
HR 1540
Sanction and bar U.S. cooperation with PRC organ transplant programs to deter state-sponsored forced organ harvesting, targeting individuals with visa bans and asset freezes.
Note on document discrepancy
- The metadata at the top of your message (title: "Commending Jenna Harlan…", classification: resolution) appears to conflict with the full bill text you provided. The text of H.R. 1540 (Introduced Feb 24, 2025) is substantive legislation titled the "Falun Gong Protection Act" addressing forced organ harvesting in the People’s Republic of China. The summary below describes the legislative text you supplied (the sanctions bill), not the congratulatory resolution in the metadata.
Summary — H.R. 1540, “Falun Gong Protection Act” (Introduced Feb 24, 2025)
Purpose and intent
- To deter and punish forced or involuntary organ harvesting within the People’s Republic of China (PRC), to coerce the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to end any state‑sponsored organ‑harvesting campaign, and to block U.S. cooperation with PRC organ‑transplantation activities while the CCP remains in power.
Key provisions and requirements
- Statement of policy directing the U.S. to avoid cooperation with PRC organ‑transplantation programs, impose targeted measures (including sanctions), and coordinate with allies on sanctions and visa restrictions.
- List of persons: Within 180 days of enactment the President must submit to relevant congressional committees an unclassified list (with possible classified annex) of foreign persons the President determines knowingly and directly engaged in or facilitated involuntary organ harvesting in the PRC. The list must be updated as new information becomes available, not later than one year after enactment, and annually thereafter until termination.
- Mandatory sanctions for listed persons:
- Blocking property and transactions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), with a waiver of certain IEEPA procedural requirements.
- Inadmissibility to the U.S., visa ineligibility, and automatic revocation of existing visas or entry documents for listed individuals.
- Penalties: violations of implementing regulations carry the civil/criminal penalties provided in IEEPA section 206(b)–(c).
- Exceptions and carve‑outs:
- Admissions necessary to comply with UN Headquarters obligations.
- Activities subject to title V National Security Act reporting and authorized U.S. intelligence or law‑enforcement operations.
- Humanitarian exceptions: sale/transport of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, vital humanitarian assistance and related financial or transport transactions.
- Waiver authority and reporting:
- The President may waive sanctions on a case‑by‑case basis for vital U.S. national security interests.
- The President must report to the appropriate congressional committees on waiver use every 120 days after the initial list submission.
- Sunset/termination: The bill contains a termination (sunset) clause referenced in subsection (h); the provided text is truncated, so the exact termination date or conditions are not available here.
Who would be affected
- Primary targets: PRC officials, state actors, medical institutions, intermediaries, or other foreign persons found to have knowingly engaged in or facilitated involuntary organ harvesting in the PRC.
- Secondary effects: Foreign financial institutions, companies, or individuals that transact with designated persons could face blocked transactions; U.S. persons would be prohibited from dealing in blocked property. Listed individuals would be barred from U.S. entry and have visas revoked.
- U.S. diplomatic/medical cooperation: The statute directs avoidance of cooperation in PRC organ transplantation and encourages multilateral coordination on sanctions and visa restrictions.
Procedural status and timeline (as provided)
- Introduced in House: Feb 24, 2025 (Rep. Scott Perry primary sponsor; several cosponsors including Patrick Ryan, Pat Fallon, Thomas Tiffany, others).
- House: Considered under suspension of the rules; passed by voice vote on May 5, 2025 (debate and suspension motions noted).
- Senate: Received May 6, 2025; read twice and referred to Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
- Reported enrolled: June 3, 2025. Filed/placed on local & consent calendars June 2, 2025.
- Related bill: S. 817 (companion).
Notes
- The bill relies heavily on IEEPA authorities and standard visa‑restriction tools to target individuals and entities involved in forced organ harvesting.
- Because the text provided is truncated at subsection (h), the precise sunset terms and any additional provisions later in the bill are not available for inclusion here.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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