United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015
PL 114-71 (S.2078), enacted 10/16/2015

129 STAT. 563 
PUBLIC LAW 114–71—OCT. 16, 2015 
Public Law 114–71 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘United States Commission on 
International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of the Congress that the United States Commis-
sion on International Religious Freedom— 
(1) was created by Congress to independently assess and 
to accurately and unflinchingly describe threats to religious 
freedom around the world; and 
(2) in carrying out its prescribed duties, should use its 
authorized powers to ensure that efforts by the United States 
to advance religious freedom abroad are timely, appropriate 
to the circumstances, prudent, and effective. 
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY. 
Section 209 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 
(22 U.S.C. 6436) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30, 2015’’ 
and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2019’’. 
SEC. 4. STRATEGIC PLAN. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
of Representatives; 
(C) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; 
and 
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the 
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 
established under section 201 of the International Religious 
Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6431). 
(3) COMMISSIONER.—The term ‘‘Commissioner’’ means a 
member of the Commission. 
(4) VICE CHAIR.—The term ‘‘Vice Chair’’ means the Vice 
Chair of the Commission who was appointed to such position 
by an elected official from the political party that is different 
22 USC 6433a. 
United States 
Commission on 
International 
Religious 
Freedom 
Reauthorization 
Act of 2015. 
22 USC 6401 
note. 
22 USC 6432 
note. 
Oct. 16, 2015 
[S. 2078] 
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129 STAT. 564 
PUBLIC LAW 114–71—OCT. 16, 2015 
from the political party of the elected official who appointed 
the Chair of the Commission. 
(b) STRATEGIC POLICY AND ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW PLANNING 
PROCESS.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and not less frequently than biennially thereafter, 
the Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission, in coordination with 
the Commissioners, the Ambassador-at-Large for International Reli-
gious Freedom, Commission staff, and others jointly selected by 
the Chair and Vice Chair, shall carry out a strategic policy and 
organizational review planning process that includes— 
(1) a review of the duties set forth in section 202 of the 
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6432) 
and the powers set forth in section 203 of such Act (22 U.S.C. 
6432a); 
(2) the preparation of a written description of prioritized 
actions that the Commission is required to complete to fulfill 
the strategic plan required under subsection (d); 
(3) a review of the scope, content, and timing of the 
Commission’s annual report and any required changes; and 
(4) a review of the personnel policies set forth in section 
204 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 
U.S.C. 6432b) and any required changes to such policies. 
(c) UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To the greatest extent possible, the Chair, 
Vice Chair, and all of the Commissioners shall ensure that 
this section is implemented in a manner that results in unani-
mous agreement among the Commissioners with regard to— 
(A) the strategic policy and organizational review plan-
ning process required under subsection (b); and 
(B) the strategic plan required under subsection (d). 
(2) ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS.—If unanimous agree-
ment under paragraph (1) is not possible, items for inclusion 
in the strategic plan may, at the joint discretion of the Chair 
and Vice Chair, be approved by an affirmative vote of— 
(A) a majority of Commissioners appointed by an 
elected official from the political party of the President; 
and 
(B) a majority of Commissioners appointed by an 
elected official from the political party that is not the 
party of the President. 
(d) SUBMISSION OF STRATEGIC PLAN.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of the Act, and not less frequently 
than biennially thereafter, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Commis-
sion shall jointly submit, to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees, a written strategic plan that includes— 
(1) a description of prioritized actions for the Commission 
for a period of time to be specified by the Commissioners; 
(2) a description of any changes the Commission considers 
necessary with regard to the scope, content, and timing of 
the Commission’s annual report; 
(3) a description of any changes the Commission considers 
necessary with regard to personnel matters; and 
(4) the Commission’s funding requirements for the period 
covered by the strategic plan. 
(e) PENDING ISSUES.—The strategic plan required under sub-
section (d) may identify any issues or proposals that have not 
yet been resolved by the Commission. 
Deadlines. 
Deadlines. 
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129 STAT. 565 
PUBLIC LAW 114–71—OCT. 16, 2015 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2078: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015): 
Sept. 30, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 6, considered and passed House. 
(f) IMPLEMENTATION OF PERSONNEL PROVISIONS AND ANNUAL 
REPORT.—Notwithstanding section 204(a) and 205(a) of the Inter-
national Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6432b(a) and 
6533(a)), the Commission is authorized to implement provisions 
related to personnel and the Commission’s annual report that are 
included in the strategic plan submitted pursuant to this section. 
(g) CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.—Upon request, the Commis-
sion shall— 
(1) make available for inspection any information and docu-
ments requested by the appropriate congressional committees; 
and 
(2) respond to any requests to provide testimony before 
the appropriate congressional committees. 
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 207 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 
(22 U.S.C. 6435) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated 
to the Commission $3,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 
to 2019 to carry out the provisions of this Act and section 4 of 
the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 
Reauthorization Act of 2015. 
‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Amounts authorized to be appro-
priated under subsection (a) shall remain available until the earlier 
of— 
‘‘(1) the date on which they have been expended; or 
‘‘(2) the date on which the Commission is terminated under 
section 209. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION.—In each fiscal year, the Commission shall 
only be authorized to expend amounts that have been appropriated 
pursuant to subsection (a) if the Commission— 
‘‘(1) complies with the requirements set forth in section 
4 of the United States Commission on International Religious 
Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015; and 
‘‘(2) submits the annual financial report required under 
section 208(e) to the appropriate congressional committees.’’. 
Approved October 16, 2015. 
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