H.R. 6056: International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025
The International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025 aims to address and improve the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals globally. Here’s a summary of what the bill proposes:
Establishment of a Special Envoy
The bill establishes a permanent position within the U.S. Department of State called the "Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ People." The Special Envoy will be responsible for guiding U.S. foreign policy regarding the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals and will represent the U.S. in international discussions on these issues. The envoy is expected to report annually to Congress on the status of LGBTQI+ rights worldwide and the effectiveness of U.S. policies in promoting those rights.
Policy Statements and Findings
The bill contains various findings that highlight the challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals across the globe, including violence, discrimination, and legal barriers. It underscores the importance of addressing these human rights violations and emphasizes that the U.S. has a role in promoting justice and equality internationally.
- About 64 countries have laws criminalizing same-sex relationships.
- Some countries impose the death penalty for consensual same-sex conduct.
- LGBTQI+ individuals frequently face violence, discrimination, and health care access issues.
Global Strategy Development
The bill requires the Special Envoy to develop a global strategy to combat discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ communities. This strategy must be updated bi-annually and should involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including foreign governments and NGOs.
Support for Programming and Assistance
The legislation authorizes the provision of assistance to countries to support initiatives that protect LGBTQI+ individuals from discrimination and violence. This includes funding for health care services tailored for at-risk communities, particularly concerning HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
Documentation of Human Rights Violations
Amendments to existing laws would require the annual country reports compiled by the Department of State to include information on the criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ people. This aims to ensure greater transparency and accountability regarding the treatment of LGBTQI+ individuals in various nations.
Training and Capacity Building
The bill mandates training for U.S. military and law enforcement personnel on LGBTQI+ issues as part of international collaboration efforts. It also promotes the development of local capacity within foreign nations to respond to the needs of LGBTQI+ communities effectively.
Protection for Asylum Seekers
Individuals facing persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity would be provided with opportunities to seek asylum in the United States. This provision aims to enhance the protection of LGBTQI+ individuals fleeing hostile environments.
Inclusivity in Funding
Any recipients of U.S. federal funding, including federal contractors, would be required to adhere to non-discrimination policies that encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, ensuring a safer environment for LGBTQI+ individuals in programs funded by the government.
Relevant Companies
- GOOGL (Alphabet Inc.): The company's global operations may be impacted by changes in international human rights policies, especially if they have to comply with or adapt to new standards or regulations regarding LGBTQI+ rights.
- META (Meta Platforms, Inc.): As a company with significant international presence, META might need to navigate varying regulations and public perceptions of LGBTQI+ rights in the countries where it operates.
- AAPL (Apple Inc.): Apple's commitment to diversity and inclusion could find further reinforcement in its international policies influenced by the U.S. government's stance on LGBTQI+ rights.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
145 bill sponsors
-
TrackRobert Garcia
Sponsor
-
TrackPete Aguilar
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGabe Amo
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackYassamin Ansari
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackBecca Balint
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackNanette Diaz Barragán
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJoyce Beatty
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackWesley Bell
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDonald S. Beyer, Jr.
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackBrendan F. Boyle
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJulia Brownley
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSalud O. Carbajal
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAndré Carson
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackTroy A. Carter
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEd Case
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSean Casten
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackKathy Castor
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJoaquin Castro
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJudy Chu
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEmanuel Cleaver
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSteve Cohen
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJ. Luis Correa
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJim Costa
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAngie Craig
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJasmine Crockett
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJason Crow
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSharice Davids
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDanny K. Davis
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDiana DeGette
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRosa L. DeLauro
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMark DeSaulnier
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMadeleine Dean
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSuzan K. DelBene
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackChristopher R. Deluzio
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMaxine Dexter
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDebbie Dingell
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLloyd Doggett
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAdriano Espaillat
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLizzie Fletcher
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackBill Foster
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackValerie P. Foushee
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLois Frankel
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMaxwell Frost
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJohn Garamendi
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSylvia R. Garcia
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJesús G. "Chuy" García
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJared F. Golden
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDaniel S. Goldman
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJimmy Gomez
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJosh Gottheimer
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAl Green
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJahana Hayes
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackPablo Hernández
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSteven Horsford
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackChrissy Houlahan
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackVal T. Hoyle
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJared Huffman
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGlenn Ivey
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSara Jacobs
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackPramila Jayapal
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackHenry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJulie Johnson
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSydney Kamlager-Dove
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRobin L. Kelly
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackTimothy M. Kennedy
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRaja Krishnamoorthi
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRick Larsen
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJohn B. Larson
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGeorge Latimer
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSummer L. Lee
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackTed Lieu
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackStephen F. Lynch
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSeth Magaziner
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJohn Mannion
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDoris O. Matsui
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSarah McBride
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJennifer L. McClellan
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMorgan McGarvey
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJames P. McGovern
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLaMonica McIver
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGregory W. Meeks
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRobert Menendez
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGrace Meng
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDave Min
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJoseph D. Morelle
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackKelly Morrison
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJared Moskowitz
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSeth Moulton
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackFrank J. Mrvan
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackKevin Mullin
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJerrold Nadler
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRichard E. Neal
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDonald Norcross
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEleanor Holmes Norton
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackIlhan Omar
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackFrank Pallone, Jr.
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackChris Pappas
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMarie Gluesenkamp Perez
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackScott H. Peters
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackBrittany Pettersen
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackChellie Pingree
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMark Pocan
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAyanna Pressley
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDelia C. Ramirez
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEmily Randall
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJamie Raskin
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDeborah K. Ross
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRaul Ruiz
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackPatrick Ryan
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMary Gay Scanlon
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJanice D. Schakowsky
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackBradley Scott Schneider
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackHillary J. Scholten
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRobert C. "Bobby" Scott
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDavid Scott
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackTerri A. Sewell
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLateefah Simon
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackAdam Smith
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEric Sorensen
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackGreg Stanton
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackHaley M. Stevens
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMarilyn Strickland
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackSuhas Subramanyam
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEric Swalwell
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEmilia Strong Sykes
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMark Takano
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackShri Thanedar
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDina Titus
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRashida Tlaib
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackPaul Tonko
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackRitchie Torres
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackLauren Underwood
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJuan Vargas
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMarc A. Veasey
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackNydia M. Velázquez
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackEugene Vindman
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackJames R. Walkinshaw
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackDebbie Wasserman Schultz
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackMaxine Waters
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackBonnie Watson Coleman
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackNikema Williams
Co-Sponsor
-
TrackFrederica S. Wilson
Co-Sponsor
-
Tracknan
Co-Sponsor
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Nov. 17, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Nov. 17, 2025 | Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. |
Corporate Lobbying
0 companies lobbying
None found.
* Note that there can be significant delays in lobbying disclosures, and our data may be incomplete.