This bill would authorize the president to appoint a special envoy to promote religious freedom of minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia. With an annual budget of $1 m. through 2018, the envoy would engage diplomatically with foreign governments to monitor religious persecution and promote the rights of minorities.
The House version of the bill listed the following ‘priority countries’ for the envoy to focus on: Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
At the annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI) conference lobbying day on 7/24/13, the organization announced a new initiative meant to promote the rights of religious minorities internationally, with support for the bill at its center.
72 cosponsors (48R, 24D).
See also: companion measure S. 653 of 3/22/13.
Last major action: 9/18/13 passed in House by yea-nay vote, 402–22.