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94–187PDF 2015

FRANK R. WOLF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS

FREEDOM ACT OF 2015; AND CALLING FOR

THE RELEASE OF UKRAINIAN FIGHTER PILOT

NADIYA SAVCHENKO

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

FIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 1150 and H. Res. 50

APRIL 15, 2015

Serial No. 114–62

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 

TOM EMMER, Minnesota 

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 

TOM EMMER, Minnesota 

KAREN BASS, California 

DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island 

AMI BERA, California 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF 

H.R. 1150, To amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to 

improve the ability of the United States to advance religious freedom globally through enhanced diplomacy, training, counterterrorism, and foreign 

assistance efforts, and through stronger and more flexible political responses to religious freedom violations and violent extremism worldwide, 

and for other purposes ......................................................................................... 3

H. Res. 50, Calling for the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya 

Savchenko, who was captured by Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine and 

has been held illegally in a Russian prison since July 2014 ............................ 46

Amendment to H. Res. 50 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 ..................................................................... 49

APPENDIX 

Markup notice .......................................................................................................... 54

Markup minutes ...................................................................................................... 55

Markup summary .................................................................................................... 56

The Honorable Christopher H. Smith: 

Prepared statement on H. Res. 50 ...................................................................... 57

Letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in support 

of H.R. 1150 ...................................................................................................... 58

Letter from the International Religious Freedom Roundtable in support 

of H.R. 1150 ...................................................................................................... 59

(1)

FRANK R. WOLF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS 

FREEDOM ACT OF 2015; AND CALLING FOR 

THE RELEASE OF UKRAINIAN FIGHTER 

PILOT NADIYA SAVCHENKO 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

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 o’clock p.m., in 

room 2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Christopher H. 

Smith (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. 

Mr. SMITH. The subcommittee will come to order. The subcommittee meets pursuant to notice to mark up H.R. 1150, the 

Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, and H. Res. 50, 

calling for the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko 

who was captured by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine and has 

been held illegally in a Russian prison since July 2014. One measure is introduced by a Republican, the other is sponsored by a 

Democrat. Both measures enjoy bipartisan support as is typical of 

the cooperation which characterizes both this subcommittee and 

our full committee. 

H.R. 1150 is named after our dear friend and colleague for many 

years, Congressman Frank Wolf, who retired last year after 34 

years of distinguished service. Some 10 Democrats have signed on 

as cosponsors of the bill, and the lead cosponsor of the bill is Anna 

Eshoo and I have introduced it. We have 80 total sponsors of the 

bill and the number is growing by the day. Likewise, 10 Republicans have cosponsored Congressman Sander Levin’s resolution, I 

among them and in a few minutes I will say a few words why. 

Due to the strong bipartisan support for both measures the fact 

that this is, the subcommittee will reconvene following this markup 

for a hearing on neglected tropical diseases as well as scheduling 

of other events, it is the intent of the chairman to consider these 

measures en bloc which I understand Ranking Member Bass has 

graciously consented to and Mr. Cicilline, I think, will concur with 

that. 

All members have copies of these documents before them, and 

then after we have concluded our expedited consideration I would 

be glad to recognize any member including myself and the ranking 

member or any member of the subcommittee for statements. All 

2

members are given leave to insert written remarks into the record 

should they choose to do so. 

Seeing that we have a reporting quorum present, without objection the following are considered as read and will be considered en 

bloc: H.R. 1150, the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom 

Act; H. Res. 50 calling for the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot 

Nadiya Savchenko who was captured by Russian forces in eastern 

Ukraine and has been illegally held in a Russian prison since July 

2014; and Smith Amendment 31 to H. Res. 50 sent to your offices 

on Tuesday of this week. 

[The information referred to follows:]

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Mr. SMITH. I move that the bill, resolution, and amendment en 

bloc be adopted. All those in favor say aye. 

All those opposed say no. 

The ayes have it, and in the opinion of the Chair all the items 

considered en bloc are adopted. Without objection, the measures as 

amended are reported favorably to the full committee and the staff 

is directed to make technical and conforming changes. 

I would like to now note that we have completed our formal consideration of these measures and will recognize members for remarks. And I recognize myself on behalf of the first bill, the Frank 

Wolf International Religious Freedom Act. 

Fifteen years ago, Congress had the foresight to make the advancing of religious freedom U.S. foreign policy and a priority. It 

wasn’t easy to pass the International Religious Freedom Act of 

1998. I actually was the one who held all of the hearings on that 

bill and frankly it was a very tough sell. There were people in the 

administration and Congress who opposed it. But there was a 

broad coalition that came together to support the bill, bipartisan, 

ecumenical and inclusive of foreign policy experts that made the 

difference. 

The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 was authored 

by Congressman Frank Wolf, and it is largely because of his efforts 

that international religious freedom is taken seriously as a foreign 

policy issue. But Frank, though prophetic, was not omniscient. The 

bill we passed 15 years ago needs to be updated to match the new 

challenges of the 21st century and that is what we are doing today 

with this bill, the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act 

of 2015. 

We honor the author of the landmark International Religious 

Freedom Act of 1998 by upgrading the tools, training and resources 

used by the administration to advance this fundamental human 

right. The need to advance religious freedom globally is more important now than ever. From Beijing to Burma, Nigeria to Syria to 

Pakistan and beyond, the need to protect religious minorities, mitigate sectarian violence and government restrictions, and counter 

radicalism and extremism are critical priorities for U.S. foreign policy. 

We see daily headlines of beheadings, kidnappings, mob attacks, 

and arrests carried out by ISIS, al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and 

many other groups. Ugly incidents of anti-Semitism are also increasing globally, even in supposedly tolerant Europe. According to 

the Pew Research foundation, government restrictions on the freedom of religion are at a 7-year high. 

A robust religious freedom diplomacy is necessary to advance our 

Nation’s interest in the stability, security, and economic development of countries we engage with around the globe. Research 

shows that where there is more religious freedom there is more 

economic freedom, more women’s empowerment, more political stability. Countries that protect religious minorities find greater levels 

of social harmony, a healthy civil society, and economic prosperity. 

Spreading respect for religious freedom is the ultimate weapon 

against terrorism and societal violence and preemptively undermines religious extremism. History also has shown that when the 

U.S. makes religious freedom a priority in bilateral relations condiVerDate 0ct 09 2002 10:54 Aug 18, 2015 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\_AGH\041515M\94187 SHIRL
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tions change without harm to security interests or economic cooperation. In addition, countless numbers of religious freedom advocates have benefited from U.S. religious freedom diplomacy finding freedom, lesser jail sentences or an end to torture. That fact 

alone should prick our consciences to act. 

The Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act will upgrade the IRFA of 1998 to better address a growing religious persecution globally and help the administration and State Department 

to better respond to violent extremism globally as well. The bill will 

among many other things better train and equip diplomats to 

counter terrorism, address anti-Semitism, which is on a huge rise 

not just around the world but also in the United States but particularly in the Middle East, end religious persecution and mitigate 

sectarian conflict. It gives those tools by enhancing the position of 

the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom now 

currently held by the distinguished Rabbi David Saperstein, creating a tier system for the International Religious Freedom Report’s of Countries of Particular Concern, and creating a new special watch list similar to the tier system we use in the Trafficking 

in Persons Report. 

As the author of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act we have 

seen, I think, beyond any reasonable doubt by having a list, a 

watch list, we’re able to put on notice those countries that should 

be or are close to being a CPC or Country of Particular Concern 

and so that we can begin working diplomatically to prioritize those 

countries. 

The bill requires annual designations and actions of countries 

with severe religious persecution or freedom issues, allows the 

President to designate nonviolent, non-state actors, and that’s new, 

as well, as severe violators of international religious freedom, and 

gives him the statutory authority to sanction individuals responsible for committing those violations, expands diplomatic training, 

counterterrorism coordination and foreign assistance efforts to advance religious freedom. 

The bill also reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International 

Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, until 2021 with the same language 

passed unanimously last year in the House. Despite strong bipartisan support in the House for USCIRF reauthorization, it did get 

bogged down in the Senate but it was finally reauthorized and the 

legislation was signed by the President for 1 year. 

Finally I want to thank Anna Eshoo for being the original Democratic sponsor of this bill along with myself and now as I have said 

80 other Members who have joined. Her advocacy on behalf of religious minorities in the Middle East has been laudable and important and critical. Ancient Christian communities and adherents to 

other esteemed faiths such as the Yazidis are being decimated by 

ISIS, and I deeply value her partnership on this legislation and admire her commitment to the cause of all those oppressed for the beliefs that they hold. 

Without objection I will add my comments on Sander Levin’s 

measure to the record in the interest of time, and will yield to Mr. 

Cicilline for any comments he might have. 

Mr. CICILLINE. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I would like to begin 

by thanking you and Ranking Member Bass for your continued adVerDate 0ct 09 2002 10:54 Aug 18, 2015 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\_AGH\041515M\94187 SHIRL
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vocacy on important human rights issues and for holding this 

markup today. I particularly want to acknowledge you, Mr. Chairman, for your many, many years of leadership on the issue of religious freedom. 

International religious freedom is vitally important and we need 

to commit the necessary resources to protect it. All individuals 

have the right to choose and practice the religion or belief of their 

choice alone or in a community with others without persecution, 

discrimination or fear of violence, and that is why I supported the 

passage of H.R. 1150 through the subcommittee today even though 

there are still some issues that I believe must be thoughtfully addressed. 

I understand that the administration has some concerns about 

the text in a number of areas including changes to internal State 

Department structure, reauthorization of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom without important reforms, and potential drains on democracy funding of other important programs. It is also important to remember that we had trouble moving the reauthorization of the United States Commission on 

International Religious Freedom last Congress in part because the 

Senate wanted to see some specific reforms included. I hope we can 

address some of these concerns as this legislation moves forward 

and before a markup at the full committee level. 

I look forward to working together with you, Chairman Smith, 

my other colleagues in the State Department, to develop final legislation that achieves our shared goals of protecting religious freedom, maintains our support for other important human rights concerns, and enjoys broad support. 

I also supported the resolution today regarding the imprisonment 

of Nadiya Savchenko. We continue to see tension and reports of aggression between Russia and Ukraine and it will take a tremendous amount of work and evidence of a profound change in Russian 

behavior before these two countries can truly coexist peacefully, 

and indeed before the United States and Russia can build a productive bilateral relationship. 

The United States must continue to call out all of Russia’s lawless actions, and the imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko defies a 

basic respect for due process and human rights and Russia should 

release her and other illegally detained people immediately. 

I thank you again Mr. Chairman for bringing these bills before 

the subcommittee and look forward to continuing to work with you 

on both of these issues and hope that we can bring them to the full 

committee for passage onto the House floor. And we thank you. 

Mr. SMITH. Thank you so very much Mr. Cicilline. Again without 

objection I will make my statement on H. Res. 50 part of the 

record. This markup is concluded. 

[Whereupon, at 2:33 p.m., the subcommittee proceeded to other 

business.] 

(53)

A P P E N D I X 

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

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MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD 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

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MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD 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


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