Orrin Hatch: “Now, Mr. President, turning to another subject, I would like to speak for a few minutes on Sam Brownback's recent…”

“Now, Mr. President, turning to another subject, I would like to speak for a few minutes on Sam Brownback's recent confirmation as Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. I've known Governor Brownback for many years, and I am confident he will serve our Nation well in advancing and defending religious freedom across the world. Throughout my Senate service, it has been my privilege to defend religious freedom. In 1990, for example, I served as one of the principal authors of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, a crucially important piece of legislation that prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion unless doing so is necessary to further a compelling government interest. The bill passed the Senate 97 to 3 and passed the House without recorded opposition. This remarkable, broad support demonstrated that religious liberty is a rare issue that unites Americans of all stripes. That unity of purpose extends to our commitment to protect this fundamental right abroad. In 1948, the Unites States was one of the original signers of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that every person has the right to freedom of religion. Fifty years later, Congress unanimously passed the International Religious Freedom Act. I was proud to support this act, which declares religious freedom to be a universal human right, a pillar of our Nation, and a fundamental freedom. The law established the U.S.…”