HRES 738119th CongressIn Committee

Expressing concern regarding severe restrictions on religious freedom abroad.

Introduced: Sep 18, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2] (R-Arkansas)

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This is a non-binding House Resolution (H. Res. 738) introduced in the 119th Congress. It expresses concern about severe restrictions on freedom of religion abroad and outlines a U.S. policy posture to support religious freedom worldwide. The resolution cites international law (Article 18 of the ICCPR) and affirms that the United States should remain a global leader on religious freedom, encourage robust diplomacy with allied countries, and maintain the important offices that monitor and promote religious liberty and antisemitism issues. It also highlights a set of countries (e.g., Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, Uzbekistan) that have been flagged for severe violations or persecution of religious groups, as identified by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and related designations. While it lists concerns and urges action, the resolution itself does not create new laws or funding; its effect is to express congressional stance and guide subsequent policy and diplomatic engagement.

Key Points

1Non-binding guidance: The resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should actively lead in promoting freedom of religion abroad and engage allies to protect religious minorities. It does not itself impose new legal requirements or provide funding.
2Legal and moral foundation: It anchors its argument in the inalienable right to free exercise of religion and cites Article 18 of the ICCPR to support international standards for religious freedom.
3Focused country concerns: It enumerates numerous countries with alleged severe restrictions or violations of religious freedom (as identified by USCIRF and related reports), including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, detailing specific abuses or patterns.
4Policy mechanisms highlighted: The resolution emphasizes robust State Department diplomacy, engagement with allies, and the ongoing importance of the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.
5Context and status: Introduced by Rep. Hill (Arkansas) with Rep. McGovern as a co-sponsor, referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; it frames a bipartisan stance on religious freedom but does not enact policy changes by itself.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Religious freedom and minority communities in the listed countries (as potential beneficiaries of U.S. diplomatic emphasis and advocacy).- U.S. foreign policy apparatus, particularly the State Department and USCIRF-aligned offices (Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism), which the resolution highlights as important to uphold.Secondary group/area affected- International relations with the countries named or implicated, as U.S. diplomatic messaging and engagement may be intensified or guided by this stance.- Domestic advocacy and policy debate among lawmakers and religious liberty stakeholders who may push for further legislation, sanctions, or programs in line with the resolution's spirit.Additional impacts- Public signaling: Establishes a clear congressional stance that religious freedom abroad remains a priority, which can influence future appropriations, commissions, and legislative initiatives.- Non-binding nature: As a resolution, it does not create new legal duties or funding; any concrete actions would require separate legislation, executive actions, or allocations by Congress and the Administration.

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