Washington, D.C – The Tibet Lobby Day kicked off on June 8, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. More than 200 Tibetan Americans and Tibet supporters from 27 states attended the day to urge U.S. senators and representatives to pass the “Assuring the Future of Tibet Act (AFTA)” and support Tibetan cause.
This annual event has been organised by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) since 2009. This year, 225 Tibetan Americans and Tibet supporters participated in the Tibet Lobby Day, from various Tibetan organisations including Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women's Association, Students for Free Tibet, most of them are youth.
They visited Senators and the House of Representatives, as well as staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., from June 8 to 9, 2026. They urged their representatives to to pass "The Assuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026 (AFTA)" and Tibetan cause.
During the reception at the Capital hill, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined the event and addressed the gathering and said that US congress has strong support for the Tibet cause. Dr Namgyal Choedup from the Office of Tibet and ICT President Tencho Gyatso also also spoke at the event.
U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern (MA-02) and Michael McCaul (TX-10) introduced legislation entitled the "Assuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026", which aims to recognise the Central Tibetan Administration and strengthen the United States' commitment to the aspirations of Tibetans. The bill would enable the U.S. government to continue engaging with the Central Tibetan Administration after the passing away of the 14th Dalai Lama.
U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern (MA-02) and Michael McCaul (TX-10) introduced legislation entitled the "Assuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026 (H.R. 8982)", in the Congress, on May 22, 2026. The bill is to recognise the Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate, democratically elected representative of the Tibetan people.
“Congress has a long-standing abiding interest in resolving the dispute between Tibet and China,” said Congressman McGovern. “Sadly, the Dalai Lama won’t be with us forever. We must ensure that the U.S. government has the authority and the tools to continue its advocacy for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people. Essential to this effort, we must support the Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate, democratically elected representative of the Tibetan people."
“Decades after the Dalai Lama and his people fled the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution on a perilous journey to India, the CCP continues to threaten Tibetans’ faith and freedom,” said Congressman McCaul. “As I promised His Holiness when I visited Dharamshala, the United States will always with stand Tibetans in their pursuit of self-determination. I am proud to support this important bill to permanently cement our commitment to the Tibetan people and guarantee unbreakable ties with their democratic leadership.”
The legislation:
- Makes it U.S. policy to maintain engagement with the Tibetan people directly and through their democratically elected leadership and religious and cultural leaders;
- States that that the Central Tibetan Administration represents continuity of governance of the Tibetan people as established by the Dalai Lama;
- Supports the Tibetan people’s free exercise of their fundamental and universal human rights under international law, including the right to self-determination; and
- Affirms commitment to a resolution of the dispute between Tibet and China as a matter of strategic interest to the United States.
To carry out its objectives, the legislation directs the U.S. government to:
- Advocate for the Central Tibetan Administration to be given observer status within the United Nations system and in relevant international bodies and groupings;
- Grant officials of the Central Tibetan Administration with appropriate senior levels of engagement and diplomatic courtesies by the U.S. government, possibly to include the extension of diplomatic security and privileges and immunities.
