Reschenthaler, McCaul Introduce Legislation to Combat Predatory Organ Trafficking
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) joined with House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (TX-10) to introduce the Stop Predatory Organ Trafficking Act. This legislation authorizes the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security to deny a visa or admission into the United States to individuals who engage in organ trafficking.
"Too many people throughout the world, especially vulnerable populations and oppressed minorities like the Uyghurs in China, are exploited by illegal organ harvesters. The Stop Predatory Organ Trafficking Act will combat this inhumane practice by blocking anyone engaged in such actions from entering the U.S.," said Reschenthaler. "I am proud to join with Ranking Member McCaul to introduce this legislation, and I hope our colleagues will join us to protect innocent and oppressed peoples by fighting to end the predatory trafficking of human organs."
"Individuals who engage in disturbing and violent activities like organ trafficking have no place in our country," stated House Foreign Affairs Lead Republican Michael McCaul. "We must continue to condemn all inhuman actions of our adversaries against vulnerable minorities worldwide – like the CCP and their genocidal activities in Xinjiang. I will be working with my colleagues and the State Department to ensure this bill is passed and we are able to prevent this exploitation of vulnerable populations throughout the world."
Ten percent of transplanted organs worldwide are illegally obtained, often forcibly harvested from oppressed minorities and prisoners or coerced from vulnerable people. Economic, social, and political upheavals over the last decade have increased the number of individuals who are vulnerable to exploitation through the illegal organ trade.
Organ trafficking has also been used by terrorist organizations to raise funds for their illicit activities. By some estimates, organ trafficking raises between $840 million and $1.7 billion. These funds can bankroll terrorist and transnational crime activity throughout the world.
In addition to denying visas or admission to those engaged in organ trafficking, this bill requires the State Department to report annually on the sources, practices, methods, facilitators, and recipients of organ trafficking. The report must also include the activities taken by the department and other countries to address organ trafficking.
Last year, this legislation was included in the 2020 China Task Force Final Report, and in the 116th Congress, the bill passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee by voice vote.
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