Falun Gong Protection Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4132, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4132 imposes sanctions on individuals who knowingly and directly engaged in or facilitated the involuntary harvesting of organs within the People's Republic of China. The State Department's 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices highlight that the Government of the PRC has been accused of forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, including religious and spiritual adherents.

The illegal harvesting of organs is not only a violation of human rights but also an assault on human dignity. Imagine the terror and despair of those who are imprisoned for their beliefs, only to have their organs forcibly taken from them. These individuals are subjected to unimaginable suffering, their most basic rights stripped away, and their bodies violated in the most grotesque manner. This is not just a statistic or a distant issue, these are real people, people with families and dreams who endure unbelievable pain and fear.

The House has already spoken on this issue by passing Mr. Smith's Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act in March. Today we have another opportunity to take a stand against this inhumane practice. By supporting H.R. 4132, we are sending a clear message that the United States will not tolerate such egregious violations of human rights. This bill ensures that those who knowingly and directly engaged in or facilitated forced organ harvesting face significant sanctions.

We don't know a lot about this crime of forced organ harvesting, but the report required in this bill will give us a better understanding of the scope of the problem so that we may address it in a targeted way. We cannot remain silent in the face of such cruelty. We must stand up for the victims, show them that they are not forgotten, and hold the perpetrators accountable.

It is our moral duty to act, to protect the vulnerable, and to uphold human dignity.

Mr. Speaker, by supporting H.R. 4132, we are sending a clear message that the United States will sanction those who knowingly and directly engaged in or facilitated involuntary harvesting of organs within the People's Republic of China. This legislation sheds light on and condemns this horrific practice and holds to account those responsible.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source