H.R. 1856 (112th): International Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 2011

Introduced:
May 11, 2011 (112th Congress, 2011–2013)
Sponsor:
Rep. Frank Wolf [R-VA10]
Status:
Died (Referred to Committee)

The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.

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Status

This bill was introduced on May 11, 2011, in a previous session of Congress, but was not enacted.

Progress
Introduced May 11, 2011
Referred to Committee May 11, 2011
Cosponsors
42 cosponsors (28R, 14D) (show)
Committees

House Financial Services

House Foreign Affairs

House Oversight and Government Reform

The committee chair determines whether a bill will move past the committee stage.

Full Title

To amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to strengthen the promotion of religious freedom in United States foreign policy and to reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and for other purposes.

Summary

No summaries available.

Text

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Last updated May 11, 2011.
26 pages

Primary Source

View on THOMAS (The Library of Congress)

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GovTrack’s Bill Summary

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Library of Congress Summary

The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress.

5/11/2011--Introduced.
International Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 2011 - Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) to require the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to:
(1) integrate U.S. international religious freedom policies and engagement programs into U.S.-funded democracy and civil society programs and counterterrorism policies of U.S. agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of State, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of the Treasury; and
(2) coordinate programs including such agencies and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Recognizes that the absence of religious freedom is related to the persecution of religious minorities, religious conflict, violence, extremism, and terrorism (including terrorism reaching the United States). Extends U.S. policy to assisting nongovernmental organizations (currently, only governments) promoting religious freedom.
Authorizes the Ambassador, subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in contacts with nongovernmental organizations impacting religious freedom in their respective societies, regions, or internationally.
Specifies the minimum training requirements for foreign service officers, including chiefs of mission, under the Foreign Service Act of 1980.
Modifies:
(1) procedures for appointing members to the Commission on International Religious Freedom, and
(2) terms of office for such members.
Establishes the Executive Committee of the Commission. Extends the Commission's termination date to September 30, 2018.
Requires the President, within 120 days after designating a country of particular concern for religious freedom, to transmit to Congress:
(1) any identification of the agency or instrumentality and specific officials responsible for religious freedom violations, and
(2) an evaluation of the actions taken by the President. Limits, to a 180-day period, the President's authority to waive specified actions with respect to a country in response to religious freedom violations.
Terminates any action by the President under the IRFA upon the President's certification that the foreign government has ceased (or taken steps to cease) particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
(Currently, without such certification, an action terminates within two years unless reauthorized by law.)

House Republican Conference Summary

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No summary available.

House Democratic Caucus Summary

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The bill contains the following citations to other parts of U.S. law:

United States Code

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Other Citations

  • 5 U.S.C. Chapter 53