Preservation of cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage of ethnic and religious groups oppressed by the People’s Republic of China

(a) Finding Congress finds that the genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated by officials of the Government of the People’s Republic of China in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region aim to erase the distinct cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage of oppressed ethnic and religious groups. (b) Sense of congress It is the sense of Congress that the United States Government should use its diplomatic, development, and cultural activities to promote the preservation of cultural, religious, and linguistic heritages of ethnic and religious groups in the People’s Republic of China threatened by officials of the Government of People’s Republic of China. (c) Report required Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that— (1) assesses the feasibility of establishing a grant program to assist communities facing threats to their cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage from officials of the Government of the People’s Republic of China; and (2) provides recommendations for Congress with respect to whether such a program needs additional authorities or funding. (d) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029, to support the establishment of a Repressed Cultures Preservation Initiative within the Smithsonian Institution to pool Institution-wide efforts toward research, exhibitions, and education related to the cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage of ethnic and religious groups the cultures of which are threatened by repressive regimes, including officials of the Government of People’s Republic of China.