Republicans promise sanctions for IOC if any US athletes go missing during Beijing Olympics

Sen. Marco Rubio blasts NBC for seeking to monetize the Olympic games hosted by China on 'The Ingraham Angle.'

EXCLUSIVE: Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher will introduce legislation Thursday night to sanction the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should any athlete, fan, member of the press or Olympic participant fall victim to "gross violations of internationally recognized human rights."

The bill, which already has the backing from top Republicans like Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Michael McCaul, is a warning to IOC officials that they could face repercussions should the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) take targeted action against those who protest Beijing’s human rights abuses.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., left, a former Marine, speaks during a roundtable discussion with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

REP. GALLAGHER TO PUSH SANCTIONS ON OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OVER ALLEGED COMPLICITY IN CCP PENG SHUAI DISAPPEARANCE

"Brave athletes from around the world are planning to boycott tomorrow’s opening ceremony in protest of the CCP’s ongoing genocide in Xinjiang. But rather than support these athletes' freedom of expression, the IOC has worked to dissuade them from highlighting the CCP's gross violations of human rights," Gallagher told Fox News Digital. 

Under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, gross violations of internationally recognized human rights are defined as prolonged detention without a charge or trial, as well as the disappearance of an individual through abduction or clandestine detention.

Torture, inhuman and degrading treatment is also recognized under the act.

"If any athlete or fan at the Olympics pays a