What does Preamble of S 2525 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To address transnational repression by foreign governments against private individuals, and for other purposes,' aims to address transnational repression. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 29, 2025.

What does SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. of S 2525 do?

This bill is formally titled the Transnational Repression Policy Act.

What does Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice of S 2525 do?

This section addresses efforts to combat transnational repression in the United States.

What does STATEMENT OF POLICY. of S 2525 do?

This section establishes a policy of the United States to protect individuals within and outside the U.S. from human rights violations by foreign governments or their agents. The policy aims to encourage cooperation with other countries to address transnational repression. The United States intends to pursue criminal prosecutions and other legal actions to hold foreign governments and individuals accountable for transnational repression.

What does DEFINED TERM. of S 2525 do?

This section defines the term 'transnational repression' as used within the Act. Transnational repression involves tactics used by foreign governments or their agents to target individuals outside their borders. These tactics include intimidation, silencing, harassment, coercion, and harm. The individuals targeted may include political dissidents, activists, journalists, political opponents, religious and ethnic minority groups, international students, and diaspora/exile communities.

What does INTERAGENCY STRATEGY. of S 2525 do?

This section requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with other Federal departments and agencies, to submit a report to specified congressional committees within 270 days of the Act's enactment. The report must contain a United States strategy to increase international awareness of transnational repression, raise the costs for governments engaging in it, and enhance collaboration with allies. The strategy must include diplomatic initiatives, plans for establishing coalitions, an analysis of a special rapporteur designation, engagement with foreign missions, and public diplomacy efforts. The strategy should also include funding for civil society organizations supporting victims and conducting research on transnational repression. It directs consideration of updates to U.S. law to address transnational repression tactics, including criminalizing information gathering and expanding the definition of foreign agents. The strategy requires coordination between law enforcement agencies to counter surveillance technology and examine the legality of foreign governments' overseas police service stations. The report should include information on governments perpetrating, complicit in, or vulnerable to transnational repression, as well as actions taken under existing law. The strategy shall be submitted in unclassified form, with a potential classified annex. The Secretary of State must provide annual updates to the congressional committees regarding the strategy's implementation.

What does TRAINING. of S 2525 do?

This section mandates training for Department of State personnel on transnational repression tactics, relevant governments, and U.S. policy priorities. The Secretary of State is directed to make this training available, particularly to overseas mission leadership when pertinent to their assignment countries. The Attorney General, in consultation with other agencies and stakeholders, must provide training to recognize and prevent transnational repression within the United States. This training for U.S. officials will cover tactics, governments involved, vulnerable communities, digital surveillance tools, and U.S. policy priorities. Recipients of this training include Department of Homeland Security employees, Department of Justice personnel (including the FBI and INTERPOL Washington), and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Federal, State, and local law enforcement, as well as private sector and community partners of the FBI, are also designated as potential training recipients. Funding is authorized for both the development and implementation of the training curricula for fiscal year 2026.

What does DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE of S 2525 do?

This section directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the FBI, to publish a toolkit describing federal resources to assist individuals and communities targeted by transnational repression. The Attorney General is tasked with conducting proactive outreach to inform targeted communities about reportable criminal incidents to the FBI. Annual trainings are required for congressional office caseworker staff regarding transnational repression tactics and available resources. An assessment is mandated to examine the misuse of data purchased by governments engaged in transnational repression, specifically focusing on spyware technology exporters, personal information brokers, and exporters of items on the Commerce Control List. The section authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2026 to support research, development, outreach, and training activities related to combating transnational repression.

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Transnational Repression Policy Act — S. 2525

Last updated: 7/29/2025 · Introduced: 7/29/2025

Author: Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

TL;DR (AI)

This Act establishes a U.S. policy to protect individuals, both within and outside the U.S., from human rights violations by foreign governments and their agents.
The bill requires the development of a national strategy to combat transnational repression, including diplomatic initiatives, coalition-building, and consideration of legal updates.
It mandates training for State Department and law enforcement personnel on transnational repression tactics, vulnerable communities, and U.S. policy priorities.
The Attorney General must publish a toolkit detailing federal resources for individuals and communities targeted by transnational repression and conduct proactive outreach.
The Act authorizes funding for research, development, outreach, and training activities related to combating transnational repression.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 4829(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title; table of contents., and 6 more.

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