S.Res. 573

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 573 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

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.
<all>