[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 573 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 573
Expressing the need for the United States continued leadership on
matters of religious freedom.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 18, 2025
Mr. Risch submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the need for the United States continued leadership on
matters of religious freedom.
Whereas the freedom of religion is the United States first right that launched a
revolution to enshrine freedom for all;
Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States clearly
states, ``Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances'';
Whereas the United States founding fathers believed all persons had
``inalienable rights'', as endowed by our Creator and further protected
by the Government;
Whereas these inalienable rights also belong to those around the world, as they
are inherent and the foundation of individual dignity and freedom;
Whereas the United States is the global leader in the fight to protect and
expand the inalienable right to freedom of religion;
Whereas the United States has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to the
freedom of religion, including through the International Religious
Freedom Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-292) and the Frank R. Wolf
International Religious Freedom Act (Public Law 114-281);
Whereas Congress has reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of religious
freedom abroad by creating and confirming Ambassadors-at-Large for
International Religious Freedom and the Special Envoy to Monitor and
Combat Antisemitism;
Whereas other Western countries have not taken similar steps to enshrine the
inalienable right of religious freedom in their founding documents or in
a consistent pattern of domestic policies;
Whereas the rise of religious intolerance in Europe has created an environment
that--
(1) criminalizes certain religious practices that target Jews; and
(2) creates subtly inhospitable environments for Christians;
Whereas countries around the world continue to engage in gross violations of
internationally recognized human rights, including violations of the
inalienable right to freedom of religion;
Whereas governments in Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Burma, China, Cuba,
Egypt, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia,
Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri
Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela,
and Vietnam, and have all engaged in patterns of violations of varying
degrees of religious freedom;
Whereas the Chinese Communist Party arrested dozens of Zion House Church members
and leaders in October 2025, which was the greatest attack on
Christianity in China in decades in their continued campaign to Sinicize
religion;
Whereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2025
Annual Report revealed that the Government of Nicaragua continues to
ruthlessly suppress religious freedom for Christians, including through
intimidation tactics;
Whereas Vatican leaders are mourning the ongoing killings of Christians for
their faith, which are occurring in increasing numbers in some places;
Whereas according to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need, more
than 360,000,000 Christians live in areas where they face high levels of
persecution;
Whereas such patterns of violating religious freedom will continue in these
countries unless the United States sends clear, concise, and strong
messages to cease such behavior; and
Whereas, as the global leader for centuries on religious freedom, only the
United States can proclaim without reservation that these countries must
reverse course and protect and defend the inalienable rights of all
people, particularly those who are seeking to exercise the most
provocative right, which is the natural and inalienable right to freedom
of religion: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) reaffirms the United States leadership around the world
to promote, protect, and expand the inalienable and
internationally recognized right to freedom of religion;
(2) encourages the Secretary of State--
(A) to continue to engage on matters of religious
freedom;
(B) to use all available tools and resources to
discourage foreign governments from continuing patterns
of violations; and
(C) to continue to engage on matters of religious
freedom with friendly nations to prevent further
erosion of religious freedom;
(3) reaffirms the importance of the offices of the
Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and the
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism;
(4) supports the offices of the Ambassador-at-Large for
International Religious Freedom and the Special Envoy to
Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to work together to ensure that
no faith or believer is left behind; and
(5) commits the United States to always support those
seeking freedom from authoritarian repression against our
shared and inalienable rights.
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