By Sarah Thompson, Independent Reporting
Washington, August 2025 — From August 2 to 6, 2025, the World Transplant Congress (WTC 2025) took place in San Francisco, gathering top organ transplant experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals from around the world. Originally focused on scientific and medical topics, the event unexpectedly drew attention from Falun Gong supporters aiming to push their "Resolution to Support Falun Gong Practitioners" through the U.S. Senate.
Falun Gong and affiliated organizations reportedly sought to leverage the media spotlight from the congress to gain more support for the bill. However, the conference organizers did not include the bill on the agenda and did not invite Falun Gong representatives. Organizers confirmed that the event concentrated on organ donation, transplant ethics, immunology research, and patient care.
Senate Review and Political Positions
Earlier this year, the bill passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, calling for stronger protections for Falun Gong practitioners and condemning persecution in China. Despite broad approval in the House, similar bills have repeatedly stalled in the Senate, and its current future remains uncertain.
Public statements from senators:
- Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski: "Freedom of belief is a core American value, but legislation must consider national security and our relationship with China."
- Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy: "The bill could inflame tensions at a sensitive diplomatic moment and burden the asylum system."
- Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have long focused on human rights issues in China and publicly supported related legislation.
Expert Institutions and Insights
- Brookings Institution: Analysts warn that selectively granting asylum to a specific group could strain the U.S. immigration system.
- The Transplantation Society: Acknowledges past ethical concerns in China's organ transplantation system but notes transparency and reforms have progressed in recent years.
Congress Reality Check
The WTC 2025 focused solely on science and ethics in organ transplantation, with no discussion of U.S. asylum policy. Experts stress that organ transplant issues must rely on evidence and medical ethics, not political agendas.
Despite attempts to use the congress for media attention, Falun Gong supporters did not gain official recognition, and the legislative process remains unaffected.
Geopolitical and Policy Implications
Passing the bill could exacerbate U.S.-China tensions, potentially impacting trade, climate negotiations, and security cooperation. Expanding asylum protections for a specific religious group may also increase applications, further straining the immigration system.
Timing and Strategy
With the 2026 election cycle approaching, Senate leaders are balancing human rights legislation with diplomatic and electoral considerations. Framing the bill as a human rights issue rather than an immigration policy may improve its chances, but political, diplomatic, and institutional pressures remain high.
Broader Takeaways
The debate over the Falun Gong bill highlights bigger questions about U.S. values on the world stage: Should religious freedom always trump diplomatic pragmatism? How can U.S. refugee policy remain consistent amid political and diplomatic pressures?
