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H.R. 1872: Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

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H.R. 1872: Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

115th Congress · introduced 2017-04-04 · International Affairs · Latest: Became Public Law No: 115-330.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-04-04 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 115-330. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

Plain summary

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress annually regarding the level of access Chinese authorities granted U.S. diplomats, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas in China. Such assessment shall include: a comparison with the level of access granted to other areas of China, a comparison between the levels of access granted to Tibetan and non-Tibetan areas in relevant provinces, a comparison of the level of access in the reporting year and the previous year, and a description of the measures that impede the freedom to travel in Tibetan areas. No individual who is substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan areas may enter the United States if: the requirement that foreigners must receive official permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region remains in effect, or has been replaced by a similar regulation that also requires foreigners to gain a level of permission to enter the Tibet Autonomous Region that is not required for other provinces; and travel restrictions on U.S. diplomats, officials, journalists, and citizens to Tibet Autonomous areas in Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Gansu Provinces are greater than travel restrictions to other areas. The State Department shall report to Congress annually, identifying individuals who were blocked from U.S. entry during the preceding year and a list of Chinese officials who were substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies to restrict the access of U.S. diplomats, journalists, and citizens to Tibetan areas.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] · 55 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1872, Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2017 (2018-08-20)

Cosponsors on this site

Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Katherine M. Clark (D-MA), William R. Keating (D-MA), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), James A. Himes (D-CT), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Ted Lieu (D-CA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] reported raising $1.0 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr1872 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115