This upcoming Sunday, the people of Venezuela will hold an election that, if legitimate, would put an end to years of the oppressive Maduro narco-regime. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued a statement in support of the Venezuelan people: “The...
News
Latest News
Rubio: “La Tenacidad y Valentía del Pueblo venezolano Estarán a la Vista”
Este próximo domingo, el pueblo venezolano tendrá una elección que, de ser legítima, pondría fin a años de opresión por parte del narco-régimen de Maduro. El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) grabó un mensaje de video en español y emitió una declaración en...
Rubio, Scott, Colleagues to Biden Admin: No Privileges Should Be Given to 9/11 Terrorist
Twenty-three years ago, the United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001. Now, Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person convicted in a U.S. court for his role in the attack, has requested the U.S. Department of Justice to allow a prisoner transfer...
Next Week: Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Ensuring Continuity in Veterans’ Health Act
As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opens up new facilities, many veterans are losing access to the VA’s Community Care Program and, consequently, their long-term healthcare providers. Veterans throughout the country have reported a loss of care, including...
Rubio Introduces Bill to Strengthen U.S.-India Security Partnership
The U.S.-India partnership is vital to countering influences from Communist China. In order to strengthen this partnership, it is essential to enhance our strategic diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with New Delhi. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)...
Rubio Bill to Reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Passes Senate
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, is a bipartisan commission that monitors religious freedom internationally. The commission’s authorization is currently set to expire September 30, 2022.
In response, the U.S. Senate passed the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jim Risch (R-ID), Dick Durbin (D-IL), James Lankford (R-OK), and Chris Coons (D-DE), would reauthorize USCIRF through fiscal year 2024. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Religious freedom is a sacred right afforded to all men and women, and the United States has a duty to defend it. USCIRF plays a vital role in our nation’s efforts to stand up for those seeking to peacefully and freely worship, and we must ensure their work continues. I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to move quickly to pass this important legislation and send the bill to President Biden without delay.” — Senator Rubio
“The human right to freedom of religion or belief is fundamental and reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Menendez. “I’m proud to see the Senate speak with one voice in reaffirming our belief in the importance of this human right. In the coming years, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom must demonstrate a heightened level of objectivity in its approach to human rights violations. To that end, I urge the Commission to strengthen its efforts in protecting that right by objectively monitoring the exercise of freedom of religion or belief globally with respect to all faiths, and with respect to LGBTQI+ persons, and other members of vulnerable communities. This reauthorization will go a long way in providing USCIRF the resources needed to protect a critical human right that’s the bedrock of democratic, pluralistic, and open societies.” — Senator Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
“Every individual around the globe deserves the right to practice their own religion without fear. Unfortunately, religious freedom is under attack in all corners of the globe, including the genocide of Uyghurs in China, attacks on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, and the persecution of Yazidis, Baha’is, Christians, and others in the Middle East. The Senate passage of our USCIRF reauthorization will ensure the United States utilizes every resource available to continue promoting religious freedom and investigate violations for all.” — Senator Risch, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
“I applaud the Senate’s action to reauthorize the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, which is a vital part of our nation’s work to share our core value of religious freedom across the world. The Commission conducts crucial research and provides vital information on the status of religious liberty worldwide so we can ensure that religious freedom is protected and promoted for people of faith around the world. The right to choose your faith, practice your faith, change your faith, or have no faith at all is a fundamental human right of all people everywhere. We must continue to shine a light on those who do not protect the unalienable human right of religious freedom for all people. I encourage the House to swiftly take up this reauthorization to ensure that USCIRF is able to continue its invaluable work.” — Senator Lankford
“Religious freedom – whether it is practicing your own faith or no faith at all – ought to be protected in every corner of the globe. I am glad to see the Senate reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and help safeguard the ability of people around the world to worship safely and freely.” — Senator Coons
Want more information? Read more.
- June 2022: Rubio, Colleagues Applaud Committee Passage of Bill to Reauthorize United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
- March 2022: Rubio Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
- December 2019: Rubio Secures Critical Funding for Florida & U.S. National Security Interests in Appropriations Bills
- September 2019: Rubio, Menendez, Gardner, Durbin, Coons, Introduce Bill to Reauthorize U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom