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CALLING FOR THE GLOBAL REPEAL OF

BLASPHEMY LAWS

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA, GLOBAL HEALTH, 

GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS, AND 

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

ON

H. Res. 290

JULY 14, 2016

Serial No. 114–198

Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ or

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/

(II)

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas 

TED POE, Texas 

MATT SALMON, Arizona 

DARRELL E. ISSA, California 

TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania 

JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina 

MO BROOKS, Alabama 

PAUL COOK, California 

RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas 

SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania 

RON DESANTIS, Florida 

MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina 

TED S. YOHO, Florida 

CURT CLAWSON, Florida 

SCOTT DESJARLAIS, Tennessee 

REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin 

DAVID A. TROTT, Michigan 

LEE M. ZELDIN, New York 

DANIEL DONOVAN, New York 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey 

GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia 

THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida 

BRIAN HIGGINS, New York 

KAREN BASS, California 

WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

ALAN GRAYSON, Florida 

AMI BERA, California 

ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California 

GRACE MENG, New York 

LOIS FRANKEL, Florida 

TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii 

JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas 

ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois 

BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania

AMY PORTER, Chief of Staff THOMAS SHEEHY, Staff Director

JASON STEINBAUM, Democratic Staff Director 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA, GLOBAL HEALTH, GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS, AND

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey, Chairman 

MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina 

CURT CLAWSON, Florida 

SCOTT DESJARLAIS, Tennessee 

DANIEL DONOVAN, New York 

KAREN BASS, California 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

AMI BERA, California 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP ON 

H. Res. 290, Calling for the global repeal of blasphemy laws .............................. 2

Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H. Res. 290 offered by the 

Honorable Christopher H. Smith, a Representative in Congress from 

the State of New Jersey, and chairman, Subcommittee on Africa, Global 

Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations ................ 9

LETTERS, STATEMENTS, ETC., SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD 

APPENDIX 

Markup notice .......................................................................................................... 18

Markup minutes ...................................................................................................... 19

Markup summary .................................................................................................... 20

(1)

CALLING FOR THE GLOBAL REPEAL OF 

BLASPHEMY LAWS 

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA, GLOBAL HEALTH,

GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS, AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS,

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

Washington, DC. 

The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2 p.m., in room 

2255 Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Christopher H. Smith 

(chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. 

Mr. SMITH. The subcommittee will come to order and, pursuant 

to notice, we are here this afternoon to mark up an amendment in 

the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 290 calling for the global repeal of blasphemy laws. 

Let me point out that the underlying resolution introduced by 

Congressman Joe Pitts and Sheila Jackson Lee is also co-sponsored 

by Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Donovan, Mr. Meadows, and myself. 

Due to the strong bipartisan support for this measure, the fact 

that this subcommittee will reconvene following the markup for our 

hearing, as well as for scheduling other events, it is the intent of 

the Chairman to expedite consideration of the measure. 

All members have copies of the amendment in the nature of a 

substitute to H. Res. 290 before them. 

[The information referred to follows:]

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Mr. SMITH. After we have concluded our expedited consideration, 

I would be glad to recognize any member, if he would like to say 

a word or two or put it in the record for on behalf of this resolution. 

Before I do, I would note that there is one technical correction 

that needs to be made in the first whereas clause. Rather than 

‘‘International Declaration of Human Rights,’’ it should read ‘‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights.’’

All members are given leave to insert written remarks into the 

record, if they so choose to do so. 

Seeing that with the consent of Mr. Cicilline, by way of his staff, 

we have the requisite number of members present, without objection, the following amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. 

Res. 290, calling for the global repeal of blasphemy laws, is considered read. 

The Chair moves that the item be adopted. All those in favor say 

aye. 

Those opposed, no. 

The ayes have it. In the opinion of the Chair, the item is adopted 

without objection. The measure is amended. 

As reported favorably to the full committee, the staff is directed 

to make technical and conformative changes. 

The subcommittee markup is adjourned and I thank my friends, 

both of whom have to be at other hearings, Mark Meadows is 

chairing one right now, for making time to be here, as well as to 

Mr. Donovan. 

[Whereupon, at 2:11 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.] 

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A P P E N D I X 

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

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