United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3895, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes USCIRF through 2024 and demonstrates strong congressional support for its mission of promoting religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy.
As the daughter of immigrants who fled religious persecution abroad, I believe the U.S. has a responsibility to stand up for the rights of religious minorities around the world. That's why I'm proud to have joined Congressman Chris Smith in introducing H.R. 7829, the House companion of S. 3895. I'm grateful to Rep. Smith for partnering with me on this legislation and for his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all people can practice the religion of their choice without fear of persecution.
In 1998, Congress established USCIRF, an independent commission dedicated to promoting religious freedom through U.S. foreign policy. In the years since its founding, the Commission has lived up to its mandate by issuing incisive reports about religious freedom conditions abroad, advising Congress and Executive Branch officials, and sounding the alarm when religious persecution occurs. Importantly, the Commission is independent from the State Department, ensuring that its assessments of religious freedom conditions abroad are not influenced by, or perceived to be influenced by, other U.S. foreign policy interests.
We live in an era in which religious freedom is threatened in much of the world. The Chinese government is perpetrating genocide against Uyghur Muslims; Christians in Iraq and Syria have been subjected to ethnic strife and the ravages of war; and the Burmese junta continues its horrific genocidal campaign against the Rohingya minority. It's clear that USCIRF's work is as important today as ever before.
By reauthorizing USCIRF on a bipartisan basis, Congress will demonstrate strong support for the Commission and its critical work to promote religious freedom abroad. I urge my colleagues to stand with the persecuted religious minorities of the world by supporting this legislation.
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