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Public Law115th CongressInternational Affairs
H.R. 1872Became Law

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 19, 2018)

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress annually regarding the level of access Chinese authorities granted U.S. diplomats, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas in China. Such assessment shall include:

  • a comparison with the level of access granted to other areas of China,
  • a comparison between the levels of access granted to Tibetan and non-Tibetan areas in relevant provinces,
  • a comparison of the level of access in the reporting year and the previous year, and
  • a description of the measures that impede the freedom to travel in Tibetan areas.

No individual who is substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan areas may enter the United States if:

  • the requirement that foreigners must receive official permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region remains in effect, or has been replaced by a similar regulation that also requires foreigners to gain a level of permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region that is not required for other provinces; and
  • travel restrictions on U.S. diplomats, officials, journalists, and citizens to Tibet Autonomous areas in Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Gansu Provinces are greater than travel restrictions to other areas.

The State Department shall report to Congress annually, identifying individuals who were blocked from U.S. entry during the preceding year and a list of Chinese officials who were substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies to restrict the access of U.S. diplomats, journalists, and citizens to Tibetan areas.

What just happenedDec 19, 2018

Became Public Law No: 115-330.

Who’s behind it

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2](D-MA)Sponsor
55 cosponsors44 D11 R
Read on Congress.gov
55cosponsors3committees30actions1related bills10subjects
  1. Dec 19, 2018President

    Became Public Law No: 115-330.

  2. Dec 19, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 115-330.

  3. Dec 19, 2018President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 19, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 13, 2018Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 13, 2018President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 12, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Dec 11, 2018Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7453)

  9. Dec 11, 2018Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S7453)

  10. Nov 29, 2018Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 701.

  11. Nov 29, 2018Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker without amendment. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  12. Nov 29, 2018Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker without amendment. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  13. Nov 28, 2018Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  14. Sep 26, 2018IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  15. Sep 25, 2018FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  16. Sep 25, 2018FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  17. Sep 25, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8849-8850)

  18. Sep 25, 2018Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8849-8850)

  19. Sep 25, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1872.

  20. Sep 25, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8849-8853)

  21. Sep 25, 2018FloorH30300

    Mr. Rutherford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  22. Jul 25, 2018Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Judiciary Committee
  23. Jul 25, 2018Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Judiciary Committee
  24. May 18, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

    Indo-Pacific Subcommittee
  25. May 2, 2017IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3005-3006)

  26. May 1, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

    Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
  27. Apr 4, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  28. Apr 4, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  29. Apr 4, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  30. Apr 4, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawDec 19, 201849

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress annually regarding the level of access Chinese authorities granted U.S. diplomats, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas in China. Such assessment shall include:

  • a comparison with the level of access granted to other areas of China,
  • a comparison between the levels of access granted to Tibetan and non-Tibetan areas in relevant provinces,
  • a comparison of the level of access in the reporting year and the previous year, and
  • a description of the measures that impede the freedom to travel in Tibetan areas.

No individual who is substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan areas may enter the United States if:

  • the requirement that foreigners must receive official permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region remains in effect, or has been replaced by a similar regulation that also requires foreigners to gain a level of permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region that is not required for other provinces; and
  • travel restrictions on U.S. diplomats, officials, journalists, and citizens to Tibet Autonomous areas in Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Gansu Provinces are greater than travel restrictions to other areas.

The State Department shall report to Congress annually, identifying individuals who were blocked from U.S. entry during the preceding year and a list of Chinese officials who were substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies to restrict the access of U.S. diplomats, journalists, and citizens to Tibetan areas.

Passed House amendedSep 25, 201836

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

(Sec. 4) This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress annually regarding the level of access Chinese authorities granted U.S. diplomats, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas in China. Such assessment shall include:

  • a comparison with the level of access granted to other areas of China,
  • a comparison between the levels of access granted to Tibetan and non-Tibetan areas in relevant provinces,
  • a comparison of the level of access in the reporting year and the previous year, and
  • a description of the measures that impede the freedom to travel in Tibetan areas.

(Sec. 5) No individual who is substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan areas may enter the United States if:

  • the requirement that foreigners must receive official permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region remains in effect, or has been replaced by a similar regulation that also requires foreigners to gain a level of permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region that is not required for other provinces; and
  • travel restrictions on U.S. diplomats, officials, journalists, and citizens to Tibet Autonomous areas in Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Gansu Provinces are greater than travel restrictions to other areas.

The State Department shall report to Congress annually, identifying individuals who were blocked from U.S. entry during the preceding year and a list of Chinese officials who were substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies to restrict the access of U.S. diplomats, journalists, and citizens to Tibetan areas.

Introduced in HouseApr 4, 2017

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2017

This bill requires the Department of State to submit an annual, publicly-available report to Congress that includes: (1) a list of individuals holding specified senior Chinese leadership positions at the national and subnational levels; and (2) an assessment of the level of access Chinese authorities granted U.S. diplomats, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas in China. Such assessment shall include:

  • a comparison with the level of access granted to other areas of China,
  • a comparison between the levels of access granted to Tibetan and non-Tibetan areas in relevant provinces,
  • a comparison of the level of access in the reporting year and the previous year, and
  • a description of the measures that impede the freedom to travel in Tibetan areas.

Listed persons shall be ineligible for a visa to enter or to be present in the United States if specified restrictions on foreign travelers entering Tibetan areas remain in effect, subject to a national interests waiver.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the State Department, when granting Chinese diplomats access to parts of the United States, should take into account the extent to which China grants U.S. diplomats access to parts of China, including the Tibetan areas.

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018 — Informed