Risch, Shaheen, Budd, Coons Lead Coalition to Reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing legislation to reauthorize the independent, bipartisan United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The bill would ensure the commission, set to expire on September 30, 2026, can continue its work to monitor religious freedom around the world.

"Religious freedom is the cornerstone of American society and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom helps to safeguard this most inherent right. I'm proud to work with my colleague, Senator Budd, to reauthorize this important commission and ensure religious freedom is protected around the globe," said Chairman Risch.

"Since its inception in 1998, USCIRF has played an indispensable role in exposing violations of religious freedom around the world through reporting and providing recommendations to strengthen U.S. foreign policy. Every day, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other religious minorities face brutal and unjust persecution, imprisonment, terrorism, and even death for practicing their faith. These assaults on religious freedom, impacting religious minorities in countries such as China, Nigeria, Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Russia, cannot go unaddressed. Alongside Senator Coons, I am proud to lead a strong bipartisan coalition to reauthorize this vital commission and ensure their work continues at this pivotal moment," said Senator Budd.

"As co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, I know far too many people around the world are unfairly and brutally targeted for their beliefs. The right to worship whomever you want - or no one at all - is fundamental to democracy and stability around the world. I'm proud to once again lead this bipartisan effort to highlight the importance of promoting international religious freedom everywhere and for all persons, regardless of belief or non-belief, sexual orientation, gender, race, or other protected classes," said Senator Coons.

Read the full bill text HERE.

Background:

USCIRF was created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), as amended, to provide the U.S. government with policy recommendations to promote the universal right to religious freedom across the globe. USCIRF has nine Commissioners, appointed by either the President or Congressional leaders, and is supported by non-partisan professional staff.

• In China, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cracked down on the religious practices of Catholics, Protestant Christians, Muslims, and other religious groups, destroying religious sites, censoring religious texts, and continuing to unjustly detain or imprison pastors and other religious leaders.
• In Iran, the authoritarian regime and its proxies were responsible for a continued widespread assault on religion, following a brutal terrorist attack on October 7th, where Hamas slaughtered innocent Jews and took hostages, invoking mass reports of increased antisemitic violence and harassment of Jewish communities worldwide.
• In Nigeria, nonstate actors instigate brutal attacks on Christians and other religious minorities, killing thousands.
• In Syria, the Kurds, Druze, Christians, and other religious minorities were subjected to violence, death, detention, and torture

USCIRF's 2026 annual report was released earlier this week.

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