US Senators Introduce Bill to Ensure Support for Tibet Beyond Dalai Lama’s Lifetime
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, 12 August: A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring American support for Tibet continues beyond the lifetime of the 14th Dalai Lama, by strengthening Washington’s relationship with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and its democratically elected leadership.
Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the Assuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026 in the Senate on 11 August with Senators Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) as original co-sponsors.
At the centre of the proposed legislation is the CTA, which the bill would recognise as the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people and as representing the continuity of governance established by the Dalai Lama. It would also direct the US Secretary of State to engage with the Sikyong (President) and designated CTA representatives at the most senior levels.
The proposed framework would extend beyond US-CTA engagement to the CTA’s position internationally. The bill would direct the US government to advocate for CTA observer status at the United Nations and equal access across the UN system, while seeking its inclusion in relevant international bodies and building support among US allies and like-minded partners for greater international recognition of the administration.
The legislation would also seek to raise the level at which the CTA’s political leadership is treated by Washington. It would provide for appropriate diplomatic courtesies for the Sikyong, including security consistent with that afforded to a head of government, and allow for consideration of diplomatic privileges and immunities for CTA officials.
Alongside these measures, the bill sets out a broader US position on the Tibet-China dispute. It would affirm that resolving the dispute is a US strategic interest and urge China to address Tibetan aspirations concerning their distinct identity, while supporting the Tibetan people’s right to self-determination and their internationally recognised rights.
The bill also addresses the question of the Dalai Lama’s succession. It would identify the Gaden Phodrang Trust as the sole authority to recognise the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, linking the provision directly to the bill’s broader aim of ensuring that US support for Tibet continues beyond the lifetime of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The legislation is the Senate companion to H.R. 8982, introduced in the House of Representatives on 22 May by Representatives Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
If enacted, the legislation would require the US Secretary of State to report to Congress on its implementation within one year and annually for the following ten years. Subsequent reports could be incorporated into other annual State Department reports.
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) welcomed the Senate introduction. ICT President Tencho Gyatso said the organisation looks forward to working with Congress towards the bill’s swift passage.
Merkley said the legislation was intended to reaffirm US support for Tibetans and their fundamental freedoms, while Risch said the bill would support Tibetans and counter China’s influence at the United Nations.
The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following its introduction. It remains proposed legislation and must pass through the legislative process before it can become law.
