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A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.

USA119th CongressSRES-52| Senate 
| Updated: 6/26/2025
James Lankford

James Lankford

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (9)
Katie Boyd Britt (Republican)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Steve Daines (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This resolution affirms religious freedom as a fundamental human right, recognizing its critical importance in supporting democracy, good governance, and global stability. It expresses grave concern over increasing worldwide threats to religious freedom, including harassment, violence, and imprisonment. The Senate condemns all efforts to suppress religious freedom, specifically mentioning the criminalization of religious exercise, conversion, or the choice to have no faith. Furthermore, the resolution urges the Department of State to enhance its engagement with allies and partners on religious freedom issues and to maintain and expand support for human rights activists. It calls for leveraging all available diplomatic and sanctions tools, such as those under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act , to hold violators accountable. The resolution also directs the State Department to consider religious freedom violations when prioritizing free trade agreements and to promote religious freedom as an utmost priority in U.S. foreign policy implementation.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

SRES 118-569
A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 4, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S596-597)
Mar 27, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jun 26, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.
Jun 26, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 105.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    SRES 118-569
    A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.


  • February 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 4, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S596-597)


  • March 27, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • June 26, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.


  • June 26, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 105.

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Human rightsInternational organizations and cooperationReligionRule of law and government transparency

A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.

USA119th CongressSRES-52| Senate 
| Updated: 6/26/2025
This resolution affirms religious freedom as a fundamental human right, recognizing its critical importance in supporting democracy, good governance, and global stability. It expresses grave concern over increasing worldwide threats to religious freedom, including harassment, violence, and imprisonment. The Senate condemns all efforts to suppress religious freedom, specifically mentioning the criminalization of religious exercise, conversion, or the choice to have no faith. Furthermore, the resolution urges the Department of State to enhance its engagement with allies and partners on religious freedom issues and to maintain and expand support for human rights activists. It calls for leveraging all available diplomatic and sanctions tools, such as those under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act , to hold violators accountable. The resolution also directs the State Department to consider religious freedom violations when prioritizing free trade agreements and to promote religious freedom as an utmost priority in U.S. foreign policy implementation.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

SRES 118-569
A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 4, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S596-597)
Mar 27, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jun 26, 2025
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.
Jun 26, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 105.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    SRES 118-569
    A resolution recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.


  • February 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 4, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S596-597)


  • March 27, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • June 26, 2025
    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.


  • June 26, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 105.
James Lankford

James Lankford

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (9)
Katie Boyd Britt (Republican)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Steve Daines (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Human rightsInternational organizations and cooperationReligionRule of law and government transparency