Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3764, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2024. This is a simple, clean, 3-sentence bill that reauthorizes the Commission, popularly known as USCIRF, for 2025 and 2026. It does so by amending the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 in the authorization of appropriations merely by updating the years of authorization and expiration. This has become the tradition: clean, simple, 2-year reauthorizations, and we should stick to this. It's vital that we reauthorize USCIRF because it is the linchpin of the entire program Congress created to promote religious freedom through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. USCIRF's high- quality reporting and high-profile commissioners influence the State Department's work on religious freedom, making it more honest and effective. USCIRF is tasked with defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad, reviewing reports of religious freedom violations and making policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the congressional leadership of both political parties. In May, Speaker Johnson appointed our former colleague the Honorable Vicky Hartzler to the Commission, and none of you will be surprised to hear that she's been a very active and engaged commissioner.…”