December 17, 2019
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate released updated amendments to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2019. Senators Dick Durbin, Bob Menendez, Jim Risch and Marco Rubio and their staffs worked diligently and collaboratively to resolve differences and complete the work before the pending deadline for expiration.
The Commission was established as part of the 1998 IRF Act signed to elevate religious freedom as a priority within U.S. foreign policy. USCIRF monitors the universal right of religious freedom or belief abroad, reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations, and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. The updated Act, crafted with bipartisan support, provides important and reasonable accountability mechanisms to ensure that the Commission can continue its work.
21Wilberforce President Randel Everett noted, “The Commission has played a vital role in raising awareness, helping to free prisoners of conscience, and supporting freedom of religion or belief around the world.” Everett further stated, “As religious freedom advocates, 21Wilberforce understands that the U.S. has a powerful voice and we rely on USCIRF resources and recommendations in our work.”
The full text of the Omnibus can be found here.