The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to combat forced organ harvesting with a 406-1 vote, but the lone dissenter’s stance raises questions about American intervention in foreign affairs.
Quick Takes
- The Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act passed with strong bipartisan support in a 406-1 vote.
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was the sole lawmaker to oppose the legislation.
- The bill authorizes the Secretary of State to deny U.S. passports and visas to individuals involved in organ trafficking.
- The legislation targets China’s alleged practice of harvesting organs from Uyghurs, Falun Gong practitioners, and other minority groups.
Bipartisan Support for Anti-Organ Harvesting Legislation
In a rare display of unity, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation targeting forced organ harvesting practices attributed to the Chinese Communist Party. The bill, known as the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act, received overwhelming bipartisan support with a 406-1 vote. Introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the legislation authorizes the Secretary of State to deny U.S. passports and visas to those involved in organ trafficking and proposes sanctions on entities and individuals participating in the international organ trafficking network.
This is not the first time the House has addressed this issue. The bill previously passed in 2023 with a vote of 413-2 but was not taken up by the Senate. Rep. Smith’s renewed push comes after continuing reports and testimonies about alleged crimes against Uyghurs, Falun Gong practitioners, and other minority groups by the Chinese government. U.S. lawmakers have accused China of systematically harvesting organs from ideological opponents and religious minorities to supply its transplant industry.
The @UyghurProject attended a press conference w/ 🇺🇸 Rep. Chris Smith on H.R.1503 (Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act), which passed the House yesterday.
The bill directs the U.S. to combat int'l organ trafficking + impose sanctions on perpetrators.@Uyghur_American @CUyghurs pic.twitter.com/B8svaU5I0L
— Uyghur Human Rights Project (@UyghurProject) May 8, 2025
Lone Dissenter Cites Sovereignty Concerns
Standing in stark contrast to the overwhelming support for the bill was Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who cast the only vote against the legislation. Massie’s opposition stems from his libertarian-conservative principles regarding U.S. intervention in foreign affairs. His stance highlights a fundamental debate about the proper role of American legislation in addressing human rights abuses in other nations, particularly when it involves imposing U.S. standards on foreign governments. “It’s just another example of us trying to stick our nose in another country’s business and write their laws, And at the end of the day, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do, and it’s just sort of a virtue signal over here,” expressed Massie.
Massie has a consistent history of opposing legislation that involves foreign countries’ internal matters, regardless of the humanitarian concerns involved. His position reflects a broader philosophical approach that questions American legislative influence on overseas governments, even when addressing alleged human rights violations. This stance places him at odds with colleagues from both parties who view such legislation as necessary to combat international human rights abuses.
The Case for Action Against Forced Organ Harvesting
Rep. Smith, the bill’s sponsor, has been vocal about the urgent need to address what he describes as systematic human rights violations. He points to evidence suggesting that the Chinese Communist Party has been involved in forced organ harvesting for years, targeting political dissidents and religious minorities. The legislation seeks to create consequences for those involved in this practice by restricting their ability to travel to the United States and imposing financial sanctions.
Smith further emphasized the economic motivations behind these alleged practices, noting that “State-sponsored forced organ harvesting is big business for Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party and shows absolutely no signs of abating.” This economic dimension adds complexity to addressing the issue, as it intertwines human rights concerns with international trade and diplomatic relationships. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain despite the strong bipartisan support it received in the House.
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Lone Republican becomes only lawmaker to vote against crackdown on human organ trafficking
Smith anti-organ harvesting bill passes House once again
