By Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Thursday proposed an amendment to an annual defense policy bill that would impose a diplomatic boycott of China’s Winter Olympics – less than 100 days away – amid accusations of rights abuses by Beijing.

Republican Senator Mitt Obama led the amendment. This amend mirrors language contained in broad China-related legislation passed by the Senate in June. The secretary of state would be prohibited from spending federal money to “support and facilitate” U.S. Government employees attending the Games.

The fate of this measure remains uncertain, however, as the Olympics are set to open in February. The Senate bill has been blocked by Congress because it is too busy with President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda.

If approved, the new amendment would include the diplomatic boycott clause to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, (NDAA), a defense law Congress has adopted every year since 1961.

It calls for an end to Chinese Communist Party’s human rights violations, which include the Uyghur Genocide, but permits U.S. funding of athletes and the U.S. Olympic Committee as well its employees, contractors, and agents.

Romney stated to Reuters that such a boycott would “harm the Chinese Communist Party” rather than penalize American athletes.

Democrats Tim Kaine (Democrat) and Ed Markey (Republican), co-sponsor the amendment. The Foreign Relations Committee is made up all four senators.

Congress members have voiced their support for an Olympic boycott, or venue change.

Chinese officials strongly deny any abuses.

Nancy Pelosi, Democratic House Speaker, has called for a diplomatic boycott.

Biden is scheduled to meet with Xi Jinping via virtual conference. The White House has so far avoided the scandal, but said it hoped that they would discuss a common approach with their allies.

Official delegations from countries often attend the opening ceremonies of Olympic games. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, led an official delegation to Tokyo Summer Olympics. She offered support to a crucial ally in spite of concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is not clear how diplomatic delegations will be allowed to access the Games. Chinese officials claim that COVID will prevent spectators traveling from outside China.