HR 2431 and S. 772 Briefing
Freedom From Religious Persecution Act
Freedom From Religious Persecution Act of 1997

Bill Summary & Status for the 105th Congress Found at:
<http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html>

SPONSOR: Rep Wolf (introduced 09/08/97)
SPONSOR: Sen Specter (introduced 05/21/97)

House Committee Passes Religious Persecution Bill.

Despite facing much opposition and gutting amendments in the House International Relations Committee, the Freedom from Religious Persecution Act (HR 2431) was passed intact by a 31-5 vote on Thursday, March 26. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), would create a new State Department office that would specifically monitor religious persecution in other countries. If a foreign government was found to be guilty of actively promoting or allowing severe religious persecution, the State Department could recommend targeted sanctions (excluding humanitarian aid) against the offending country. "Persecution" is defined in the bill as "abduction, enslavement, killing, imprisonment, forced mass resettlement, rape, or crucifixion or other forms of torture." The bill is a modest step toward putting American foreign policy on the side of those struggling under oppressive foreign governments and to refuse to subsidize any foreign regime that participates in this persecution. The bill must now be considered by the House Banking Committee, House Subcommittee on Immigration, and the House Ways and Means Committee before the full House may vote on it. Please urge your congressman to support the Freedom from Religious Persecution Act (HR 2431).
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, April 3, 1998]

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On Wednesday, March 25, the House International Relations Committee is scheduled to consider Rep. Frank Wolf’s (R-VA) Freedom from Religious Persecution Act (HR 2431). The legislation creates an office within the State Department to monitor religious persecution by foreign governments. If a foreign government is found to be actively or passively oppressing people of faith, the State Department office could recommend sanctions against the offending government. In the legislation, sanctions may not include humanitarian aid, and the president may waive the recommended sanctions if he feels they risk national security or that the persecuted people could be relieved of their suffering by means other than sanctions. All over the world, religious minorities face possible arrest, imprisonment, torture, rape or execution simply because of their faith. Because religion encompasses not only who we are, but who God is, one of the most precious freedoms is religious freedom. Americans must defend this freedom everywhere in the world. If your representative is a member of the House International Relations Committee, please call and urge them to support HR 2431. To find out if your representative is on the committee, please call FRC at 1-800-225-4008.
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, March 20, 1998]

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Summit on Religious Persecution.

On Wednesday, February 4, religious and political leaders, including FRC president Gary Bauer, gathered in Washington to discuss religious persecution around the globe. They worked to gain fresh support for a bill in Congress (HR 2431) that would stop non-humanitarian foreign aid to countries who persecute people because of their faith. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), would also streamline the asylum process for those fleeing religious persecution and stop corporations from selling equipment that could be used to torture religious minorities. The legislation, also known as the Wolf-Specter bill, was revised so that the office it creates to monitor religious persecution is part of the State Department, rather than the White House. Please call the House International Relations committee members and urge them to support HR 2431, without any weakening amendments. For a list of committee members, please call FRC at 1-800-225-4008.
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, February 6, 1998]

Briefing on the Controversy
Testimony of Congressman Wolf
Agreed to Changes
HR2431 Summary from "Thomas" U.S. government WEB site
WTV National Bill & Issue Watch