With the clock quickly ticking down before the United States Senate departs for the end of the legislative year, the International Campaign for Tibet will hold an urgent Lobby Day this Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The action comes in response to China’s efforts to stop the Senate from passing the bill, as documented by The Washington Post.
Participants will call on their Senators to cosponsor and support the bill through in-person meetings on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and in Senate state offices across the nation. They will also reach out to their Senators through online advocacy.
ICT members and other Tibet supporters from all 50 states have already contacted their Senators, and many more are expected to join on Wednesday. Tibetan associations across the US and other Tibet groups will take part in the mobilization.
“We are so close to getting reciprocal access to Tibet over the finish line, but we have to act now before the legislative calendar ends, or this vital bill will face an uncertain future,” ICT President Matteo Mecacci said. “It is crucial that all supporters of Tibet take action this Wednesday to let their Senators know that the United States must stand up to China’s pressure and stand for justice in Tibet.”
BIG #NEWS: The House of Representatives just passed bipartisan legislation I introduced that moves us closer to holding #China accountable for their human rights violations in #Tibet. pic.twitter.com/nEKqve0XUn
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) September 26, 2018
The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act would deny entry to the US for Chinese officials who prevent American diplomats, journalists and citizens from entering Tibet. The bill is expected to shine a light on China’s human rights violations against the Tibetan people and address China’s unfair relationship with the US and other democratic countries.
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on September 25.
Last week, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said he believes that the Senate would pass reciprocal access to Tibet unanimously before the end of this year and that President Trump would sign it into law.
But, Rubio said, for that to happen, the bill would need to make it out of a Senate committee onto the floor of the Senate. In addition, none of the 100 Senators across the country could oppose the bill.
“I’m confident that if we can get it onto the floor of the Senate in some form, it would pass without even a vote,” Rubio said, adding “We want to get it there, we believe there’s support for it, and we’re working hard to get it accomplished.”
ICT has launched a campaign for Americans to tell their Senators to pass the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act and show support for the bill using #AccessToTibet.
For too long, China has prevented U.S. diplomats and journalists from seeing the conditions on the ground in Tibet.
I'm happy to see this long overdue policy pass the House and hope the Senate will continue to advance the fight for human rights for Tibetans. https://t.co/vC3p4GqGdd
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) September 26, 2018
Ask your Senators to support the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act today using our online action page.