Global Religious Freedom Agency Renewal Plan Passed by House

The House passed a bill Monday to reauthorize the State Department agency responsible for assessing conditions of religious persecution around the world.

The measure (H.R. 1744), approved by voice vote, would extend the US Commission on International Religious Freedom‘s authority to operate through Dec. 31, 2028. It is currently set to expire on Sept. 30, 2026.

The commission assesses religious freedom conditions abroad and makes recommendations to the president, State Department, and Congress. It was created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) introduced the bill Feb. 27, 2025. The House Foreign Affairs ...