[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13604-13609]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REFORM AND 
                      REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2011

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 2867) to reauthorize the International 
Religious Freedom Act of 1998, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2867

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``United States Commission on 
     International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization 
     Act of 2011''.

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT AND COMPOSITION.

       (a) Membership.--Section 201(b)(1)(B) of the International 
     Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6431(b)(1)(B)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
     ``Nine'' and inserting ``five'';
       (2) in clause (i), by striking ``Three members'' and 
     inserting ``One member'';
       (3) in clause (ii)--
       (A) by striking ``Three members'' and inserting ``Two 
     members'';
       (B) by striking ``two of the members'' and inserting ``one 
     member''; and
       (C) by striking ``one of the members'' and inserting ``the 
     other member''; and
       (4) in clause (iii)--
       (A) by striking ``Three members'' and inserting ``Two 
     members'';
       (B) by striking ``two of the members'' and inserting ``one 
     member''; and
       (C) by striking ``one of the members'' and inserting ``the 
     other member''.
       (b) Terms.--Section 201(c) of the International Religious 
     Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6431(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking the last sentence and 
     inserting the following: ``An individual is not eligible to 
     serve more than two consecutive terms as a member of the 
     Commission. Each member serving on the Commission on the date 
     of enactment of the United States Commission on International 
     Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2011 may 
     be reappointed to not more than one additional consecutive 
     term.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``May 15, 2003, 
     through May 14, 2005'' and inserting ``May 15, 2012, through 
     May 14, 2014'';
       (B) in subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) Presidential appointments.--The member of the 
     Commission appointed by the President under subsection 
     (b)(1)(B)(i) shall be appointed to a 1-year term.'';
       (C) in subparagraph (C)--
       (i) by striking ``three members'' and inserting ``two 
     members'';
       (ii) by striking ``the other two appointments'' and 
     inserting ``the other appointment''; and
       (iii) by striking ``2-year terms'' and inserting ``to a 2-
     year term'';
       (D) in subparagraph (D)--
       (i) by striking ``three members'' and inserting ``two 
     members'';
       (ii) by striking ``the other two appointments'' and 
     inserting ``the other appointment''; and
       (iii) by striking ``2-year terms'' and inserting ``to a 2-
     year term''; and
       (E) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``May 15, 2003, and 
     shall end on May 14, 2004'' and inserting ``May 15, 2012, and 
     shall end on May 14, 2013''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Ineligibility for reappointment.--If a member of the 
     Commission attends, by being physically present or by 
     conference call, less than 75 percent of the meetings of the 
     Commission during one of that member's terms on the 
     Commission, the member shall not be eligible for 
     reappointment to the Commission.''.
       (c) Election of Chair.--Section 201(d) of the International 
     Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6431(d)) is amended 
     by inserting at the end the following: ``No member of the 
     Commission is eligible to be elected as Chair of the 
     Commission for a second, consecutive term.''.
       (d) Quorum.--Section 201(e) of the International Religious 
     Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6431(e)) is amended by 
     striking ``Six'' and inserting ``Four''.
       (e) Applicability.--A member of the United States 
     Commission on International Religious Freedom who is serving 
     on the Commission on the date of enactment of this Act shall 
     continue to serve on the Commission until the expiration of 
     the current term of the member under the terms and conditions 
     for membership on the Commission as in effect on the day 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 3. APPLICATION OF ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAWS.

       Section 204 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 
     1998 (22 U.S.C. 6432b) is amended by inserting after 
     subsection (f) the following new subsection:
       ``(g) Application of Antidiscrimination Laws.--For purposes 
     of providing remedies and procedures to address alleged 
     violations of rights and protections that pertain to 
     employment discrimination, family and medical leave, fair 
     labor standards, employee polygraph protection, worker 
     adjustment and retraining, veterans' employment and 
     reemployment, intimidation or reprisal, protections under the 
     Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, occupational safety 
     and health, labor-management relations, and rights and 
     protections that apply to employees whose pay is disbursed by 
     the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative 
     Officer of the House of Representatives, all employees of the 
     Commission shall be treated as employees whose pay is 
     disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief 
     Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives and 
     the Commission shall be treated as an employing office of the 
     Senate or the House of Representatives.''.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 207(a) of the International Religious Freedom Act 
     of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6435(a)) is amended by striking ``for the 
     fiscal year

[[Page 13605]]

     2003'' and inserting ``for each of the fiscal years 2012 and 
     2013''.

     SEC. 5. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND DISCLOSURE.

       Section 208 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 
     1998 (22 U.S.C. 6435a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``$100,000'' and 
     inserting ``$250,000''; and
       (2) in subsection (e), by striking ``International 
     Relations'' and inserting ``Foreign Affairs''.

     SEC. 6. TERMINATION.

       Section 209 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 
     1998 (22 U.S.C. 6436) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2011'' and inserting ``September 30, 2013''.

     SEC. 7. REPORT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE 
                   RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report on the implementation of this Act and the 
     amendments made by this Act.
       (b) Consultation.--The Comptroller General shall consult 
     with the appropriate congressional committees and 
     nongovernmental organizations for purposes of preparing the 
     report.
       (c) Matters To Be Included.--The report shall include the 
     following:
       (1) A review of the effectiveness of all United States 
     Government programs to promote international religious 
     freedom, including their goals and objectives.
       (2) An assessment of the roles and functions of the Office 
     on International Religious Freedom established in section 
     101(a) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 
     U.S.C. 6411(a)) and the relationship of the Office to other 
     offices in the Department of State.
       (3) A review of the role of the Ambassador at Large for 
     International Religious Freedom appointed under section 
     101(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 
     U.S.C. 6411(b)) and the placement of such position within the 
     Department of State.
       (4) A review and assessment of the goals and objectives of 
     the United States Commission on International Religious 
     Freedom established under section 201(a) of the International 
     Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6431(a)).
       (5) A comparative analysis of the structure of the United 
     States Commission on International Religious Freedom as an 
     independent non-partisan entity in relation to other United 
     States advisory commissions, whether or not such commissions 
     are under the direct authority of Congress.
       (6) A review of the relationship between the Ambassador at 
     Large for International Religious Freedom and the United 
     States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and 
     possible reforms that would improve the ability of both to 
     reach their goals and objectives.
       (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
     congressional committees'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 3 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 
     (22 U.S.C. 6402).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, first of all, let me thank Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the 
chairwoman of our committee, and Howard Berman for their fine work in 
helping to bring this very important legislation to the floor today.
  I want to thank especially Congressman Frank Wolf, the author of this 
legislation, who is also the author of the original International 
Religious Freedom Act that was passed back in 1998, against 
considerable odds, opposition from the Clinton administration, for 
example, opposition from a number of people on both sides of the aisle. 
But at the end of the day, that legislation, historic, was signed into 
law and was signed by President Clinton. So he came around and actually 
put his signature on that historic legislation.
  So I again want to thank Mr. Wolf for his famous leadership. He has 
been a leader on human rights and on religious freedom in particular 
for more than 30 years. And that culminated, at least on the religious 
freedom side, with the enactment of the International Religious Freedom 
Act.
  Madam Speaker, religious freedom, the right to worship and practice 
one's faith according to the dictates of one's own conscience, is a 
foundational human right. Not only is it an essential element in our 
Constitution; it is intrinsic to the human dignity of every man and 
woman on this Earth and was enshrined in the universal declaration of 
human rights.
  But it is a right denied or curtailed for millions, really billions, 
according to some estimates, even a majority of the people living in 
the world. For Copts in Egypt, for Christians, Buddhists, and Uighurs 
in China, Montagnards, Evangelical Christians in Central Vietnam, Jews 
in Baha'i in Iran, many Buddhist monks in Burma and, of course, this 
rising pernicious tide of anti-Semitism, not just in the Middle East 
but in many parts of Europe, and even in the United States, the ability 
to live their faith without threat of persecution is a distant and 
unrealized promise.
  I was pleased to work with Mr. Wolf years ago, as I mentioned, on 
this legislation. And I actually chaired the hearings on the 
legislation. And again, there was considerable opposition that was 
turned around, and at the end of the day this legislation did become 
law.
  The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was an 
important part of this effort. It was created as an independent body of 
experts to review the facts and make policy recommendations from a 
vantage point outside of our diplomatic corps, where bilateral and 
other concerns had sometimes resulted in the soft-pedaling of severe 
ongoing violations of religious freedom around the world.
  Even today, when the quality of State Department reporting on 
religious issues, while it's improved, the commission continues to 
serve as a critical role and a sounding board and a catalyst. One 
indicator is the fact that the commission's list of recommended, what 
is called ``countries of particular concern'' for severe violations of 
religious freedom, remains larger than the number actually designated 
by the State Department. They ought to be the same, but they are not.
  Just yesterday, Secretary Clinton rightfully designated the People's 
Republic of China, Burma, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, 
Sudan and Uzbekistan as countries of particular concern. But the State 
Department's list does not add any new countries from last year, and 
one of the most glaring omissions of all is Vietnam, whose policies 
have more than earned that badge of shame.
  Secretary Clinton did not designate Egypt either, or Iraq, Nigeria, 
Turkmenistan and Pakistan, as recommended by the commission. So, 
unfortunately, their recommendations went unheeded. But it does provide 
an important backdrop and framework to review and to look at what it is 
that the State Department is doing.
  We need, Madam Speaker, this commission more than ever. Already in 
the Congress, we have had three comprehensive hearings on religious 
freedom: one in the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in January 
regarding the religious freedom of minorities in the Middle East; one 
in the committee that I chair, the Africa Global Health global Human 
Rights Committee, regarding the prioritization of religious freedom in 
U.S. foreign policy; and one just last month in the Helsinki Commission 
on the particular plight of Coptic Christians in Egypt. That hearing 
brought to light an egregious policy that is acted out in Egypt each 
and every day, where young Coptic Christian girls, some as young as 14 
and 15, are kidnapped. They are forced into Islam, and then they are, 
at age 18 or thereafter, given in marriage forcibly to an Islamic man.

                              {time}  1240

  That is an outrage against women's rights, human rights, and 
religious freedom as well.
  The Commission has been an invaluable resource to Congress as we 
monitor the protection and promotion of

[[Page 13606]]

religious freedom around the world and the response of the 
administration on this very important issue. They have also a resource 
to governments seeking to remedy religious freedom abuses within their 
own borders. For instance, in Indonesia, the Commission worked with 
members of the Indonesian House of Representatives and civil society 
groups and introduced measures to strengthen provisions in the criminal 
code regarding attacks on religious gatherings and amend the law 
governing the building of religious venues.
  The Commission also continues to help network human rights and legal 
advocates in Indonesia and elsewhere around the world working to defend 
individuals accused of blasphemy and religious minorities facing 
intimidation and violence from extremist groups. The Commission's work 
in Indonesia will have practical impact on the exercise of human rights 
and the preservation of peace in that country.
  Other governments have looked to the Commission as a model for their 
own religious freedom commissions.
  The bill before us today includes a number of bipartisan reforms to 
the Commission authorities and operations to make their work even more 
effective.
  Again, I want to thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, the chairwoman, and thank 
Howard Berman for their leadership in ensuring the bill came to the 
floor today and for their support for the bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 2867, the United States Commission 
on International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 
2011.
  I would like to thank the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), who has been a leader on this issue for, as 
my colleague Mr. Smith pointed out, well over a decade on the question 
of international religious freedom.
  We're fortunate to live in a country that was founded by religious 
refugees on principles of tolerance. We strive to adhere to article 18 
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that 
``everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and 
religion. This right includes freedom to manifest his religion or 
belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.''
  But elsewhere around the globe, religious freedom and human rights 
are routinely violated. Countless men, women, and children face 
violence, persecution, and discrimination because of their faith. 
Violent extremist attacks have taken place in the Middle East and South 
Asia. The regimes in North Korea and Iran actively repress religious 
freedom. Apostasy and blasphemy laws have fueled discrimination against 
religious minorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
  Other religious minorities like Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, 
Ahmadis, Baha'is, Assyrian Christians in Iraq, Copts in Egypt face 
violence and government restrictions. And anti-Semitism is still 
prevalent around the world.
  Just yesterday, Secretary Clinton designated Burma, China, Eritrea, 
Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan as countries of 
particular concern that have ``engaged in or tolerated particularly 
severe violations of religious freedom.''
  While these may be the worst offenders, we have serious concerns 
about religious freedom in many other countries around the world. More 
than ever, we need the U.S. Commission on International Religious 
Freedom to continue its important work.
  The bipartisan bill before us today reauthorizes the Commission, also 
known as USCIRF, which is set to expire at the end of the month. The 
bill also contains some sensible reforms that will strengthen USCIRF's 
efforts to monitor and report on the status of freedom of religion 
abroad. These reforms include the process of selecting the chair, terms 
of service for members of the Commission, and a GAO study on improving 
the effectiveness and coordination of all U.S. Government bodies that 
focus on international religious freedom.
  In particular, I would like to thank Mr. Wolf for agreeing to include 
a provision that clarifies that USCIRF is subject to the same workplace 
restrictions and civil rights laws as the rest of the Federal 
Government.
  Congress has long provided that the Federal Government, including the 
executive and legislative branches, is subject to laws intended to keep 
the American workplace safe and free from discrimination, including the 
Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the 
Americans with Disabilities Act, OSHA, and workplace protections for 
veterans.
  However, under current law, it is unclear whether USCIRF's employees 
could resolve disputes over workplace protections through the 
procedures designed for executive branch workers or under the 
procedures that apply to legislative branch employees through the 
Congressional Accountability Act. This legislation will ensure that all 
claims will now be resolved under the procedures created by the 
Congressional Accountability Act. USCIRF supports this clarifying 
position.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, it is a distinct privilege to 
yield such time as he may consume to the chairman of the Appropriations 
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, the 
author of the original International Religious Freedom Act, an historic 
piece of legislation and today's reauthorization, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Wolf).
  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, before I begin, I want to thank Foreign 
Affairs Committee Chairman Ros-Lehtinen; ranking member, Mr. Berman; 
the Human Rights Committee chairman, Mr. Smith, who's been a champion 
on all of these issues from the very first day he got in here; and 
their staffs. The staffs have made all the difference in the world.
  I want to particularly thank the chairman's staff, Yleem Poblete and 
Doug Anderson, for their help, and also the leadership on both sides 
and my side, and the leadership staff who have really tried to work 
this and get this thing through. I'm going to say some things that 
hopefully are not too controversial, but I do want to thank them for 
getting this thing out and getting it moving because, if it didn't move 
today, it may very well come to an end.
  I rise in support of this critical legislation to reauthorize and 
reform the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The sad 
truth, though, Madam Speaker, this bill has been held hostage by the 
other body--and keep the word ``hostage'' out there as we think in 
terms of what this bill would do and what's taking place around the 
world. And if we do not pass this bill in this form today, the 
likelihood of this Commission shutting down is very, very high.
  I wish I could name--I know the House rule--and I would name the 
members over there if anyone asks me, but it's being held hostage. Some 
in the other body are now saying that even these are not the changes 
that they would like to see to the Commission. And, quite frankly, I 
believe that some over there and this very administration would not 
mind seeing this Commission shut its doors.
  This was a bipartisan issue for years. Scoop Jackson, the leader, 
Jackson-Vanik, President Reagan. To my side, Reagan said the words in 
the Constitution were a covenant to the entire world, not just to the 
people in Philadelphia in 1787 but to the entire world. And yet 
religious freedom, often referred to as the first freedom, is central 
to our American values and should be featured prominently in foreign 
policy.
  But, sadly, the constituency for human rights and religious freedom 
issues is growing smaller and smaller in Washington and in this 
Congress. These issues have become second-class citizens in this 
Congress and in this town. There are no big law firms downtown. They're 
representing the Saudis. They're representing the Chinese. They're 
representing filth and garbage in certain cases, but no one represents 
human rights and religious freedom.

[[Page 13607]]

  So there are all the Members who have agonized and pushed and pulled 
and want to kill this. I'm concerned because as we stand here today and 
debate, and you've got to know this, Iraqi Christians are being killed. 
People who speak the same language as Jesus, the Aramaic language, and 
more biblical activity took place in Iraq than almost any other country 
other than Israel, they're being killed; and Iraqi women are being 
forced to do terrible things in order to keep their families.
  And there are some who don't want this bill to pass. They never talk 
about the Iraqi Christians. Yet many of them supported the Iraqi war 
and yet they say nothing.
  The Baha'is in Iran and Egypt are being marginalized, and I never 
hear a word said.
  Chinese Bishops. I can remember Congressman Smith took Holy Communion 
from Bishop Su. Bishop Su was arrested and has never been seen since, 
maybe once being forced into a public security police car and taken 
away.

                              {time}  1250

  Protestant pastors are being arrested today as we speak in China, and 
yet this doesn't really seem to bother this place. It's almost like, 
Well, you know, what are we going do? You know, man does not live by 
bread alone. These are important issues. Go back to Scoop Jackson. Go 
back to Ronald Reagan. Go back to the Constitution. Go back to the 
Declaration of Independence.
  Shabaz Bhatti, the Christian minister in the government, was gunned 
down because of his faith, because he was a Christian. The Ahmadiyya 
Muslims in Pakistan are being persecuted. They're going through a very, 
very difficult time. There are the Coptic Christians. I was in Egypt in 
July, and the Coptic Christians--8.5 million--are going through a very 
difficult time.
  As Mr. Smith just said, anti-Semitism is running rampant. Anti-
Semitism is running rampant in this world, and yet there are some who 
are trying to kill this Commission, for some reason, over in the other 
body. We're having such a hard time.
  The Buddhists in Tibet, they can't even have a picture of the Dalai 
Lama. Hu Jintao, who is the current President of China, was the one who 
cracked down on Tibet and raided all those monasteries, and yet, with 
this bill, some are just saying, Well, you know, I don't know, and I 
don't know, and I don't know.
  Though this bill is not what we originally planned, the Commission 
has said they can live with these provisions so that the Commission may 
remain a reliable voice for the world's persecuted people. As Mr. Smith 
said, there probably is not a time that you do need this Commission 
more than now. Since the passage of this legislation, religious freedom 
has been elevated at times in U.S. foreign policy, but it still does 
not enjoy the preeminence it deserves.
  Sadly, a strong U.S. voice on these critical issues has arguably 
never been more needed. The Commission faces extinction at the end of 
the month. Members of Congress know, if you knock this bill down, if 
you want to kill this Commission and if they vote ``no,'' it will go 
out of business by the end of this month if the Congress fails to pass 
it.
  Just yesterday, as Mr. Smith said, the State Department released its 
annual International Religious Freedom Report. In the report, several 
challenges to religious freedom were pinpointed. People around the 
world continue to face violent extremist attacks, apostasy and 
blasphemy laws, repression, and anti-Semitism. According to a Pew 
Research Study released in 2009, one-third of all nations, containing 
70 percent of the world's population, severely restrict religious 
freedom.
  I want to thank again Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Berman and my good 
friend Mr. Smith and their staffs.
  I don't know what we would say to the Christian community around the 
world and to the Baha'is and to those concerned about anti-Semitism and 
the Buddhist community in Tibet and the Uyghurs in China if this thing 
fails to pass. They would say, What's taking place in Washington? Why 
is this no longer an issue that this Congress and this administration 
care about? So I would hope we should pass it. I think we should have a 
roll call vote. Every Member should stand up and explain what they're 
going to do.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Foreign Affairs Committee 
Chairman Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Member Berman, Human Rights Subcommittee 
Chairman Smith, and their staffs for working tirelessly in a bipartisan 
manner to continue to fight for those who are persecuted for their 
religious beliefs. I would like to particularly thank the chairman's 
staffers, Yleem Poblete and Doug Anderson, for their help. Thank you 
also to our leadership for bringing this bill to the floor.
  I rise in support of this critical legislation to reauthorize and 
reform the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). 
The sad truth is that this bill has been held hostage in the other 
body, and if we do not pass this bill in the form it is in today, the 
commission will shut down.
  Some in the other body are now saying that even these are not the 
changes they would like to see to the commission, and quite frankly, I 
believe that some over there and this very administration would not 
mind if the commission were to shut its doors.
  Religious freedom, often referred to as the first freedom, is central 
to our American values and should be featured prominently in U.S. 
foreign policy. Sadly, the constituency for human rights and religious 
freedom issues is growing smaller and smaller in Washington and in 
Congress. These issues have become second class citizens in this 
Congress.
  I am deeply concerned because, as we stand here and debate this bill, 
Iraqi Christians are being killed, Baha'is are being marginalized in 
Iran, Chinese bishops and Protestants pastors sit in jail, Christian 
and Ahmadis continue to be repressed in Pakistan, Coptic Christians are 
having a difficult time in Egypt, and anti-Semitism is growing around 
the world.
  Though this bill is not what we originally planned, the commission 
has said they can live with these provisions so that the commission may 
remain a reliable voice for the world's persecuted people.
  Recognizing that this critical issue and other human rights related 
issues are often relegated to the sidelines within the State 
Department, I authored legislation more than 10 years ago, in 1998, to 
establish the International Religious Freedom Office at the State 
Department, headed by an ambassador at-large, and to create the U.S. 
Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)--an independent, 
bipartisan Federal Government commission, charged with monitoring the 
status of freedom of religion or belief abroad and providing policy 
recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.
  Since the passage of this legislation religious freedom has been 
elevated within U.S. foreign policy. But it still does not enjoy the 
preeminence it deserves. And sadly, a strong U.S. voice on this 
critical issue has arguably never been more needed. USCIRF faces 
extinction at the end of this month if Congress fails to pass the bill 
before us today and it is not signed into law.
  Just yesterday, the State Department released its annual 
International Religious Freedom Report. In the report, several 
challenges to religious freedom were pinpointed. People around the 
world continue to face violent extremist attacks, apostasy and 
blasphemy laws, repression, and anti-Semitism. According to a Pew 
Research Study released in December 2009, one-third of all nations, 
containing 70 percent of the world's population, severely restrict 
religious freedom.
  This legislation will reauthorize the U.S. Commission on 
International Religious Freedom until September 30, 2013. USCIRF, 
unlike the State Department, is unencumbered by the impulse to maintain 
good bilateral relations above all else . . . an impulse which sadly 
can result in critical issues of religious freedom being sidelined in 
the pursuit of broader foreign policy goals.
  USCIRF regularly holds briefings and hearings on and off the Hill and 
is frequently called upon to provide expert witness testimony to 
Congress.
  Just in the last year the commission has taken a leadership role on a 
series of key issues. It was quick to recognize the strategic 
importance and courageous voice of the late Shabaz Bhatti, Pakistan's 
federal minister of Minorities Affairs, an outspoken critic of his 
nation's draconian blasphemy laws.
  During a critical time for the people of Sudan, the USCIRF issued 
special recommendations on the implementation of the historic 
Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
  It made a series of policy recommendations aimed at preserving and 
protecting Iraq's besieged religious minorities.
  It has actively worked with dozens of Hill offices on combating the 
``defamation of religions'' resolution before the United Nations.

[[Page 13608]]

  In short, ensuring that the commission is reauthorized is of 
paramount importance. In a Constitution Day speech, President Ronald 
Reagan famously described the United States constitution as ``a 
covenant we have made not only with ourselves, but with all of 
mankind.''
  Passage of this legislation will go a long way in helping us keep 
that covenant. I urge my colleagues' support. We must let the world 
know that the U.S. Congress continues to believe in the importance of 
protecting the first freedom for every person in this world.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I just want to again thank Congressman Frank Wolf, Chairman Wolf, for 
his eloquence and for his passion for those men and women and children 
of faith who suffer terrible, terrible injustices around the world, 
including persecution.
  There were two books that got me involved, in all candor, in 
religious freedom issues--there were two incidents in my first year in 
Congress in 1981--``Tortured for Christ,'' by Richard Wurmbrand, who 
was a great evangelical pastor who spent years being tortured by the 
Securitate in Romania because of his faith. He made an appeal, and he 
said, Do not sit idly by while men and women of any faith are being 
tortured and persecuted because of that faith, because it's not just 
the individual who suffers; the entire family suffers; and very often 
they're incarcerated and tortured as well.
  The other was the trip to the Soviet Union with the National 
Conference on Soviet Jewry in 1982, January. It was 10 days in Moscow 
and Leningrad, meeting Soviet Jewish refusniks who were persecuted, who 
were put into psychiatric prisons simply because of their faith.
  A couple of years later, Mr. Wolf and I went to Perm Camp 35 in the 
Ural Mountains. It took years to negotiate our way in. This was in 
1987. We met with persecuted Jewish refusniks and Christians and 
political prisoners who were there simply because of their faith. It 
was where Natan Sharansky had spent a number of his years incarcerated 
by the cruel dictatorship of the Soviet Union.
  In China today, the believer Christians, Uyghurs, Tibetans, and 
Buddhists are tortured beyond anyone's imagination. It's real. It's 
happening today. In Vietnam, there has been a backlash against people 
of faith ever since they got trading benefits and the bilateral trade 
agreement and MFN were extended to them, or PNTR. They have done a 
backlash to men and women of faith that is unprecedented, and ought to 
be on the CPC list of the International Religious Freedom Commission. I 
hope people will go to the Web site. Check out this wonderful 
Commission, which if it is not renewed by the end of this month, goes 
out of business.
  I would call out our Members on the other side of this Capitol, the 
other body, to pass this legislation immediately. We ought to be 
strengthening and significantly expanding it, not doing less than 
status quo, which is what we're doing today because of some budget 
concerns that people have. This is the quintessential watchdog agency 
in this town. It doesn't get the big press, as Mr. Wolf said. It 
doesn't have the big bucks--no K Street lobbyists--but it is a 
wonderful and a very important and effective Commission that keeps 
track of religious persecution globally, that keeps us in line in the 
House and the Senate and also the State Department. I read their 
reports. I read them from cover to cover. Please, I would ask the 
Members of this body to support this legislation and call on our 
friends in the Senate to do likewise.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 2867, ``United States Commission on International Religious 
Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2011.'' This legislation 
mandates the United States Commission on International Religious 
Freedom (Commission) compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, 
restricts the Commissioner to two consecutive terms, and requires the 
Commissioner to attend 75 percent of Commission meetings. H.R. 2867, 
extends the Commission's sunset date by two years, and appropriates 
$4.29 million for FY12 and FY13. In addition, H.R. 2867 requires study 
to determine the Commission's effectiveness to ensure that the act is 
being implemented properly.
  As a senior Member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, 
I understand the importance of protecting the religious rights of men, 
women, and children throughout the world. By advocating for religious 
stability, we in turn decrease the likelihood of religious extremism 
and advance the growth of healthy nations. The United States Commission 
on International Religious Freedom serves as an essential fact finder 
and impartial advisor on these matters.
  The 18th District of Texas is home to many different faiths and 
religious backgrounds and welcomes a variety of views on religion. This 
reflects the principles of freedom of religion upon which our nation 
was founded. The founding fathers understood the importance of freedom 
of religion and the perils of religious persecution. Respect for the 
religious practices of others is woven into the very fabric of the 
United States.
  The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is an 
independent, bipartisan commission. The Commissioners are appointed by 
the President and Congress. The Commission's core mission is to review 
international violations of religion freedom and make policy 
recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress. 
These recommendations impact the lives of millions of people of faith 
around the world. I believe in the importance of protecting those who 
are being persecuted based upon their religious beliefs.
  According to a Pew Research Study released in December 2009, 198 
countries, containing 70 percent of the world's population, severely 
restrict religious freedom. The study found that 101 governments used 
force against religious groups or individuals. Christians and Muslims, 
who make up more than half of the world's population, were harassed in 
more countries than other religions, although the study does not 
reflect the intensity of the persecution. This study was conducted 
prior to the Arab Spring. Many of the nations with increasing religious 
restrictions are the very nations that have seen popular uprisings and 
subsequent crackdowns--among them Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Libya, a 
clear indication that we need this Commission more than ever.
  I firmly believe that the Commission has a positive impact on the 
lives of millions of people of faith throughout the world, especially 
at a time when many governments continue to repress religious freedom 
and persecute persons on the basis of their religion. Such repression 
only stands to marginalize vulnerable populations, emboldens 
extremists, fuels sectarian tensions, and robs societies of the moral 
and charitable contributions of faith communities.
  Repression of religious freedom runs contrary to shared universal 
values and undermines genuine stability. In the words of Secretary of 
State Hillary Rodham Clinton ``Religious freedom provides a cornerstone 
for every healthy society. It empowers faith-based service. It fosters 
tolerance and respect among different communities. And it allows 
nations that uphold it to become more stable, secure, and prosperous.
  The Commission monitors religious freedom through the lens of 
international human rights standards, such as those found in the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on 
Civil and Political Rights. Forty-five years ago the nations of the 
world signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 
(ICCPR), which codified in international law the right to religious 
freedom. The ICCPR affirmed under Article 18 of the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights that ``everyone shall have the right to 
freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes 
freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either 
individually or in community with others and in public or private, to 
manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and 
teaching.''
  The Commission is not a tool to advance religious beliefs or any 
specific values. It is focused on addressing the religious climate in 
each country based upon the ICCPR. By relying on international human 
rights standards as specified in ICCPR, The Commission guards against 
any attempts to impose American values on other nations, but rather 
examines the actions of foreign governments against these universal 
standards and by their freely undertaken international commitments. 
This Commission is a vital resource in learning to address conflicts 
between religious groups, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring.

[[Page 13609]]

  As the Commission serves to address the violations of religious 
freedom abroad, Congress is charged with ensuring the Commission itself 
is in compliance with laws that protect the rights of workers and those 
they serve. H.R. 2867 reflects the principle that discrimination has no 
place within our government and will ensure that the commission itself 
complies with all federal anti-discrimination laws. This is an 
essential distinction from the current law, which lacks these robust 
discrimination protections. This legislation further underscores the 
importance of this Commission by expending the sunset date of the 
Commission by 2 years to September 30, 2013. Lastly, the amount of 
appropriations allotted for the Commission would be amended by striking 
$3,000,000 for the fiscal year 2003, to $4,291,000 for fiscal years 
2012 and 2013.
  I firmly believe that H.R. 2867 will allow the Commission to continue 
to address international religious persecution, provide much needed 
discrimination protections, and will garner the appropriate amount of 
oversight to ensure that the Commission operates as effectively.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2867, a bill 
to reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 
(USCIRF).
  Around the world, millions of people suffer persecution merely 
because they practice a different religion than other people around 
them. No one should be made to feel that the practice of their religion 
is a crime or a source of shame. Such persecution violates their 
inalienable human right to practice the religion of their own choosing 
and promotes political instability. The historical record is replete 
with incidents of violence and conflicts that have their source in 
sectarian and religious differences and rivalries.
  The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an 
important advocate for the freedom of religion and helps promote the 
issue as an integral part of the U.S. foreign policy and national 
security agendas. Additionally, by providing data analysis and 
assessment of conditions in affected areas, USCIRF enables the U.S. to 
impact acts of religious repression and intolerance in countries around 
the world.
  USCIRF helps to advance the visibility of religious freedom as a 
priority of U.S. foreign policy and helps to address the challenges of 
religious extremism, intolerance, and repression throughout the globe.
  I support the USCIRF and its mission and I encourage my colleagues to 
join me in support of H.R. 2867.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2867, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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