S. 1542 · On the floor · International Affairs

Uyghur Policy Act of 2026

Sponsor: John R. Curtis (R-UT)

What it does

• Directs the Secretary of State to prioritize policies and programs supporting Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
• Requires the Department of State to maintain close contact with Uyghur religious, cultural, and political leaders and seek regular travel to Xinjiang and Uyghur populations in Central Asia, Turkey, Albania, Germany, and Europe.
• Directs the Secretary of State to lead coordination efforts for the release of political prisoners in Xinjiang detained for exercising human rights or being relatives of exiled Uyghurs.
• Requires the Secretary of State to coordinate with relevant Federal agencies to administer aid to Uyghur rights advocates and work with international partners on Uyghur rights awareness.

Latest action

Jul 27, 2026: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 496.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations