Sponsors (12)
The bill keeps the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom operating and funded through 2028 to continue monitoring abuses, at the cost of modest additional federal spending and postponing Congressional reassessment of the Commission until the end of 2028.
Religious organizations, human-rights NGOs, and communities facing religious persecution abroad retain a U.S. watchdog that will continue monitoring and reporting on international religious freedom abuses through December 31, 2028.
The bill authorizes up to $3.5 million for FY2027 and FY2028 (plus Oct–Dec 2028), providing funding stability to the Commission for staff and ongoing programs.
Delays the chance for Congressional reassessment of the Commission's mandate and performance until the end of 2028, reducing near-term oversight and accountability.
Authorizing this extension increases federal spending commitments (roughly $3.5M per year for the covered years plus the short FY2028), modestly adding to taxpayer-funded obligations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Extends authorization to appropriate funds for USCIRF through 2027–2028 and delays the Commission's statutory termination to Dec 31, 2028.
Official title: To extend and authorize annual appropriations for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom through December 31, 2028.
Introduced February 27, 2025 by Christopher Henry Smith · Last progress June 9, 2026
Extends the period during which Congress may appropriate funds for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) through 2027 and 2028 and delays the Commission's statutory termination date to December 31, 2028 (with a brief specific period noted from October 1–December 31, 2028). The bill updates the authorization language so appropriations authority and the Commission's existence continue through the end of 2028.