Relevant Legislation

One of the important ways that we can help Christians under oppression is through official legislation. Take a look below at current legislation that impacts religious freedom.

A great way to become involved is to contact your Senator or House Representative asking them to fight on behalf of the persecuted.  When you call, mention these specific bills and resolutions, asking your Representative to support their passing on the House or Senate floor.  You can also voice your concern about particular countries where Christians are persecuted, or of universal issues such as blasphemy laws or forced conversions.

Key Legislation:

• Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia (HR. 440 and S.1245) – this bill was introduced by Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) and gathered 80 cosponsors before it passed on the House this summer.  Now the bill has been received in the Senate and awaits a final vote. If passed, the bill will establish a Special Envoy appointed by the President, who will operate within the State Department and will have the responsibility of monitoring and promoting religious freedom in the Middle East and South Central Asia. UPDATE: Senator Jim Webb of Virginia has placed a hold on this legislation, preventing it from going to the Senate floor for a vote. Please call Sen. Webb's office at (202) 224 4024 and urge him to release his hold on this important legislation.
• International Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 2011 (H.R.1856) – this bill was introduced by Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) and currently has 38 cosponsors, and still awaits final vote from the House.  If passed, this bill will accomplish several things that will amplify the importance of promoting religious freedom within U.S. agencies such as the Department of State, Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.
• Listing of Vietnam as a “Country of Particular Concern” (H.RES.16) – this resolution, introduced by Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) and cosponsored by 17 other House members, calls upon the State Department to re-designate Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern, a designation given by the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, for Vietnam’s severe violations of the religious freedom of its citizens.