Sens. Cruz, Durbin Lead Bipartisan Resolution Urging Release of Political Prisoners in China

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led a bipartisan resolution urging President Trump to prioritize securing the release of political prisoners during his upcoming visit to China, including Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai. Sen. Cruz said , “The Chinese Communist Party is a brutal authoritarian regime, and those under its rule face persecution, violence, and even execution for their beliefs. I'm grateful to stand with Senator Durbin to hold the CCP accountable, secure the release of wrongly detained individuals, and deliver justice for the victims of its abuses.” Sen. Durbin said, “No one should fear for their lives or political imprisonment for standing up for democracy and freedom. While the Chinese have worked with my office on such cases in the past and made some important gestures, it’s time for the immediate release of Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and Pang Yu, and Jimmy Lai. I urge President Trump to raise their cases with Chinese President Xi Jinping when he visits China in the near future.” Sen. Ricketts said, “I strongly support prioritizing the release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai. Communist China’s conviction of individuals for the peaceful exercise of religious belief and free expression are a blatant violation of internationally recognized human rights. Xi Jinping must free all of these individuals immediately and halt its suppression of freedom of religion.” Sen. Kaine said, “The Chinese government has persecuted and wrongfully detained thousands of people—all because they decided to peacefully speak out against government abuses, practice their religion freely, or exercise other fundamental freedoms. When President Trump meets with Xi Jinping, he must push for the release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to human rights.” Sen. Capito said, “The Chinese Communist Party’s campaign of repression against Christians, including the targeting of churches like Zion Church, represents a clear violation of fundamental religious freedom. It’s critical that the U.S. make clear to the Chinese government that religious prisoners like Pastor Ezra Jin and his colleagues should be released, and the targeting of people of faith in China must end. The United States must send an unequivocal message: faith is not a crime.” Sen. Van Hollen said, “The U.S. government must not stand silent amid the PRC’s continued efforts to silence and detain those exercising their free speech rights. This bipartisan resolution is a clear message from Congress to President Trump that he must uphold our nation’s stated commitment to freedom of expression and human rights – and prioritize the release of these wrongly detained individuals when he comes face-to-face with Chinese President Xi in the coming weeks.” Sen. Merkley said, “Looking ahead to the summit in Beijing, America’s values of freedom and human rights must remain at the heart of a clear and principled vision that guides our leadership on the global stage. We must hold authoritarian regimes accountable for their human rights abuses. The efforts to free Jimmy Lai, Pastor Jin, and others wrongfully detained by China have always been about standing with those fighting for their basic rights, and our bipartisan resolution sends a clear message that Democrats and Republicans alike will not abandon these brave individuals.” Sen. Alsobrooks said, “America is exceptional because of our commitment to the freedom of speech and religious freedom. And we must always advocate for those values on the global stage. It is critical that in this moment, the United States stand up for freedom. I am calling on President Trump to prioritize securing the release of Pastor ‘Ezra’ Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Jimmy Lai, and other wrongly detained individuals when he meets with President Xi Jinping this spring.” Sen. Budd said, “It is well known that Communist China is a leading violator of internationally recognized human rights, unjustly imprisoning or detaining individuals to suppress their freedom of religion or speech. I stand with my colleagues in urging President Trump to advocate for the release of Pastor Ezra Jin, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife, Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai at the upcoming U.S.-China summit. Their wrongful detentions are completely unacceptable.” Read the bill text here . BACKGROUND In October 2025 , Sen. Cruz advanced language through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that increases transparency regarding the control and abuse of Hong Kong by the CCP, and specifically how the CCP utilizes Hong Kong’s financial system to advance their economic interests. In November 2025 , the U.S. Senate passed a resolution by Sens. Cruz and Chris Coons (D-Del.) condemning the CCP for the abduction of Pastor Ezra Jin and other leaders of the Zion Church and calling for their release. In 2019 , Sen. Cruz traveled to Hong Kong to stand in solidarity with protesters, where he met Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy dissidents.