Sponsors (10)
The resolution strengthens U.S. rhetorical and diplomatic tools to defend religious freedom internationally, but as a nonbinding statement that publicizes country-level allegations it may raise expectations and diplomatic/economic friction without providing resources to act.
State governments, religious organizations, and victims of religious persecution: the resolution highlights State Department country designations (Countries of Particular Concern and Special Watch List), reinforcing diplomatic pressure and supporting targeted sanctions or actions against perpetrators.
Religious organizations, minority faith communities, immigrants, and people of nonbelief: the resolution reaffirms freedom of religion as a fundamental U.S. value and cites international standards (UDHR Article 18 and Commission definitions), strengthening U.S. diplomatic and normative arguments to protect religious liberty abroad.
American businesses, travelers, and taxpayers: publicizing country lists and allegations can strain diplomatic relations and provoke retaliatory measures that complicate trade, travel, or investment, potentially imposing costs on U.S. actors.
Taxpayers and the public: because the resolution is nonbinding and provides no funding or required actions, it may create expectations for U.S. follow-through (pressure, sanctions) that cannot be met, leading to public frustration or calls for costly responses.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes nonbinding findings that reaffirm support for religious freedom and documents increased global threats to religious liberty in 2023–2024.
Official title: 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.
Introduced February 4, 2025 by James Lankford · Last progress February 4, 2025
Expresses the Senate's findings and policy support for freedom of religion as a fundamental right and cites U.S. and international authorities that protect religious freedom. It lists recent State Department designations and documents a rise in threats to religious freedom worldwide (criminalization of blasphemy, violence, destruction of sites, genocide, harassment, extremist activity) but contains no binding commands, funding, or legal changes.