U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who serve as chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have joined with Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to introduce legislation aimed at reauthorizing the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The commission is set to expire on September 30, 2026, unless Congress acts.
Chairman Risch stated, “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.”
Senator Budd commented on the ongoing challenges facing religious minorities: “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.”
Senator Coons added: “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.”
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee plays a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy by reviewing treaties and legislation related to international affairs (official website). Established in 1816 as one of the original standing committees (official website), it also designates its Chairman and Ranking Member as leaders among majority and minority members respectively (official website). Throughout history it has influenced key foreign policy decisions including support for measures like the Truman Doctrine in 1947 and Marshall Plan in 1948 (official website) as well as rejecting treaties such as Versailles in 1919-1920 (official website).
USCIRF was created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) with a mandate to provide recommendations on advancing global religious freedom. It consists of nine commissioners appointed by either the President or Congressional leaders.
Recent examples cited include actions by governments such as China’s restrictions on Catholics, Protestants Christians, Muslims and other groups; Iran’s continued assault on religion following attacks that led to increased antisemitic violence worldwide; attacks by nonstate actors against Christians in Nigeria; and violence targeting minorities in Syria.
The USCIRF released its annual report for 2026 earlier this week.
