[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 122 (Monday, July 27, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PASTOR EZRA JIN

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, all Americans--but I can't speak for all 
Americans. But I want to thank President Trump for his efforts to 
release Pastor Ezra Jin after 266 days in Chinese captivity.
  Pastor Jin started Zion Church in 2007 to share his love of God, to 
serve others, and to worship peacefully. Following the 2008 Sichuan 
earthquake, his church and its community were among the first 
responders. They even hosted blood drives in Beijing to help those who 
were impacted by the earthquake.
  But on October 10, last year, Pastor Jin was detained with other 
leaders in the Zion Church.
  Now, you might find yourself asking: Why was he arrested?
  In communist governments, any belief system that places moral 
authority and fosters independent communities beyond government control 
is a challenge to the regime in power. This Senator does not see how 
preaching the love of Jesus Christ is a threat to any communist 
government, but they do.
  That is why the Chinese Communist Party seeks to control religion 
through state-run religious organizations. Today, authorities suppress 
independent churches and target any individuals who worship outside of 
the state-sanctioned controlled institutions.
  Many Christians seeking to practice their faith free of government 
control have to fear their identity being discovered and then facing 
punishment or even imprisonment.
  This is precisely what happened to Pastor Jin. His only offense was 
leading an independent Christian congregation and exercising his 
fundamental freedom to worship without Chinese Government interference.
  In November of 2025, the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution that 
condemned the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of religious 
groups, including Pastor Jin and the leaders of the Zion Church.
  In March of this year, I joined a congressional letter to President 
Trump asking that he advocate for Pastor Jin's release in a meeting 
that he recently had with the Chinese President.
  Today, we can celebrate that Pastor Jin is finally free. But our work 
is not finished. We must continue to speak out for those who cannot 
speak for themselves and stand firmly in defense of religious freedom.
  Along this same line--not in China but someplace in Africa--I heard 
yesterday, in my attendance at the 105th Cedar Falls, IA, Bible 
Conference, that there has been a pastor in Africa that has been 
kidnapped, and they wanted us to pray for him. And, hopefully, our 
government is helping, to some extent, to free him as well.
  I don't know his name. They didn't want to give out the name.
  But this stuff that happens in China and around the world, you can't 
understand how it can happen because it seems to me the peaceful 
approach of Christians is something that shouldn't be challenged or 
feared by any type of government anyplace on this globe.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the role.
  The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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