The Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC) is a bipartisan organization within the United States House of Representatives, established in 1983 by Representatives Tom Lantos (D-CA) and John Porter (R-IL) to focus on global human rights issues. It served as an informal caucus that raised awareness, conducted hearings, and advocated for human rights policies, addressing concerns such as political repression, torture, religious persecution, and violations against vulnerable populations. In 2008, following the death of co-founder Tom Lantos, the caucus was restructured and renamed the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC), which now operates as a formal congressional commission. The TLHRC upholds the original mission of promoting, defending, and advocating internationally recognized human rights norms in a nonpartisan manner, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments. It continues to hold public hearings, issue reports, collaborate with international organizations, NGOs, and activists, monitor human rights crises, and contribute to legislation, sanctions, and support for dissidents, maintaining a commitment to bipartisan cooperation in advancing global human rights standards.