US Congress passes landmark Bill in support of Tibet, Dalai Lama

BY VISHAL GULATI Dharamsala, Dec 22 : In a historic achievement for the Tibetan government-in-exile, the US Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) of 2020 that had been stuck at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since May.
Describing as a historic decision, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay, who is currently in Washington, told IANS over phone that the Tibetan Policy and Support Act makes it official the US policy that decisions regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama are exclusively within the authority of the current Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist leaders and the Tibetan people.
“Any interference by Chinese government officials will be met with serious sanctions and be deemed inadmissible into the United States,” he said.
The TPSA was part of the appropriation Bill that was debated and passed.
“I have been in DC for the last five days closely overseeing and finally good to see efforts bearing fruit,” Sangay informed in a tweet.
“By passing the TPSA, Congress has sent its message loud and clear that Tibet remains a priority for the United States and that it will continue its steadfast support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA,” said Sangay in a statement.