USCIRF Welcomes Appointments of Commissioners

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Welcomes Appointments of Commissioners

Washington, DC - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the reappointments of Rachel Laser and Asif Mahmood and new appointments of David A. Anderson, CeCe Heil, Gunisha Kaur, and Gene Mills.

Asif Mahmood was reappointed to USCIRF by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) after serving as elected Vice Chair during his first USCIRF appointment. Mahmood is a practicing physician and human rights advocate.

"We warmly welcome the appointments of David A. Anderson, CeCe Heil, Gunisha Kaur, and Gene Mills to the Commission," said Commissioner Asif Mahmood. "Their skillsets offer an invaluable perspective to the work of the Commission as it confronts threats to freedom of religion or belief."

Rachel Laser was reappointed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Laser is the President and CEO of American United for Separation of Church and State as its first female leader.

"The work of the Commission is crucial to advancing freedom of religion or belief abroad and conveys to the world that it is a priority for the United States," said Commissioner Rachel Laser. "We look forward to working with the new Commissioners to advance international religious freedom."

David A. Anderson was appointed to USCIRF by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). He is the founder and President of Gracism Global, working to build bridges across the deep divides of race, faith, culture, and wealth. He is also the senior pastor of Bridgeway Community Church, reaching a multicultural congregation from over 52 nations.

CeCe Heil was appointed to USCIRF by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). She is Senior Counsel and International Legal Director for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). She is a human rights attorney who advocates for religious freedom, rule of law, and the protection of vulnerable faith communities worldwide.

Gunisha Kaur was appointed to USCIRF by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). She is a physician, medical anthropologist, and scientist with two decades of experience and fieldwork in human rights. She has worked to bring clinical care informed by her scholarship to some of the world's most urgent humanitarian crises.

Gene Mills was appointed to USCIRF by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). As the President of Louisiana Family Forum, he brings years of experience working on issues involving life, liberty, and limited government in the Louisiana political landscape.

USCIRF thanks for their service the former Commissioners whose terms ended on May 14, 2026: Mohamed Elsanousi, Maureen Ferguson, Vicky Hartzler, Stephen Schneck, and Meir Soloveichik.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].