Sens. Cruz, Durbin Resolution Urging the Release of Political Prisoners in China Passes Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) issued statements following the Senate’s passage of their bipartisan resolution urging President Trump to prioritize securing the release of political prisoners during his current 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 an authoritarian regime that jails dissidents, silences religious believers, and violates basic freedoms. The Senate’s passage of this bipartisan resolution underscores that America will continue fighting to secure the release of those wrongfully detained and hold the CCP accountable for these detentions.” Sen. Durbin said, “No one should fear for their lives or suffer 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, Ekpar Asat, and Jimmy Lai. Now that this resolution has passed the Senate, I urge President Trump to raise their cases with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his current visit to China.” Click here to read more about the resolution. BACKGROUND 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.