WASHINGTON, D.C: (PCP) On Tuesday, December 17th, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2019, with updated amendments, was released by the U.S. Senate and added to the end of year Omnibus. The updates focused on three priorities, including a three-year reauthorization, increased transparency and a mandate that extends the work of USCIRF. 

Established nearly 21 years ago, USCIRF works to defend the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. The policy recommendations they make to the president and to Congress are crucial in ensuring that the United States continues to be a leader in the fight to end violence and persecution based on religion and belief. 

In Defense of Christians wants to especially thank, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Robert Menendez, Senator James Risch, Senator Richard Durbin, and House Leadership for helping preserve religious freedom as a United States policy priority by reauthorizing the Commission, especially during such troubling times for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East.