McGovern, Kim lead Bipartisan Group of 10 House Lawmakers Calling on Trump Administration to Make Tibet a Priority

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, United States Congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Young Kim (R-CA) led a bipartisan group of 10 House lawmakers in a letter asking the Trump administration to make Tibet a priority. The letter was addressed to Riley M. Barnes, who was appointed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 17, 2026, to serve as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Barnes is the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

"We know what is possible when the Administration and Congress work together to promote America's interests regarding Tibet," wrote the lawmakers in their letter. "We look forward to working with you as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to implement these laws and appropriations provided by Congress, to advance a renewed and reinvigorated push to peacefully resolve the dispute over Tibet's future, and to continue the U.S. government's unwavering support for our Tibetan allies."

The lawmakers provided eight specific areas where the Trump administration and Congress can collaborate to advance U.S. policy on Tibet consistent with U.S. law, including the 2002 Tibetan Policy Act, the 2018 Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, the 2020 Tibetan Policy and Support Act, and the 2024 Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act:

• Promote dialogue between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and representatives of the Dalai Lama or Central Tibetan Administration (CTA);
• Defend the right of religious freedom in the Dalai Lama's succession
• Counter PRC disinformation about Tibet;
• Promote access to Tibet for foreign diplomats, journalists and tourists;
• Continue programmatic support for Tibetans;
• Prioritize a solution for Tibetans in Nepal;
• Engage with the CTA; and
• Support Tibetan broadcasting services.

The full text of the letter is available here.