U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) has introduced the Combatting the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act, aiming to strengthen the United States’ response to reported religious persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The legislation was filed on the 27th anniversary of International Religious Freedom Day and seeks to impose strict sanctions on CCP officials responsible for violations of religious freedom.
Congressman Mark Alford (R-Mo.-04) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Several other lawmakers have joined as co-sponsors, including Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), as well as Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.-17), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas-02), and Michael McCaul (R-Texas-10).
Senator Budd stated, “China’s disdain for religious freedom is not new. It is an ongoing and brutal pattern of abuse that must be met with steadfast American strength. As the leader of the free world, the United States must promote religious freedom around the world and hold China’s authoritarian regime responsible for decades of persecution targeting Christians and other religious minorities. The CCP’s restrictions on freedom of religion and cruelty toward religious minorities in China must come to an end.”
Congressman Alford added, “The Chinese Communist Party has perpetrated heinous abuses against religious groups for decades. It’s time the United States to stand up for religious freedom in China as we have in other parts of the world. I’m proud to co-lead the Combatting the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act with Senator Budd and our colleagues to take a stand, stop these abuses, and promote global religious freedom.”
Senator Tillis said, “The Chinese government has an abysmal human rights record and has persecuted its citizens for practicing their faith for far too long. As co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus and a participant in the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s Defending Freedom Project, I remain deeply committed to highlighting China’s ongoing persecution of religious leaders like Pastor Wang Yi, who has been unjustly detained for the past seven years. The United States must continue to hold China accountable and ensure that its blatant disregard for religious freedom is considered in all future diplomatic and trade negotiations.”
Senator Young commented, “China’s systematic persecution of religious leaders who peacefully practice their faith is horrific and shameful. We must continue to strongly condemn this action by the Chinese Communist Party and hold accountable those who perpetuate this reprehensible behavior.”
Senator Blackburn stated, “Communist China’s persecution of Christians and religious minorities is a gross violation of human rights. The Combating the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act would hold Chinese Communist Party officials accountable by imposing sanctions on those responsible for these abuses of religious freedom.”
Senator Moody said, “The Chinese Communist Party’s brutal persecution of people of faith cannot be ignored. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill to send a clear message that the United States will continue to promote religious freedom around the globe and fight to hold the CCP accountable for its human rights abuses.”
If enacted, this legislation would authorize sanctions against CCP officials found responsible or directly involved in actions such as arbitrary imprisonment or forced labor related to suppression based on religion or belief within China. It also aims to reinforce U.S. State Department programs focused on addressing persecution faced by Protestant Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, among others.
Additionally, Congress expresses that China should remain designated as a Country of Particular Concern due to its record regarding violations against various faith groups.
