What You Need to Know about the New International Religious Freedom Bill that President Obama Just Signed

International Religious Freedom Bill
The update to the International Religious Freedom Bill is named after the Honorable Frank Wolf. Twitter

H.R. 1150 or the Frank R. Wolf International religious Freedom Act was just signed by President Barack Obama in an effort to further strengthen the United States effort to protect from persecution religious minorities all over the world.

Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, who co-sponsored the bill said in a statement, "Religious freedom is more than an American right; it is a human right. The Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act is needed to help prevent the persecution of religious minorities around the world, and I am pleased that the President has signed it into law. As a world leader for freedom and the protection of basic human rights, the United States should take every opportunity to advocate for people to think, believe, and act according to their religious belief, whether they belong to a minority or majority religion."

Another co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said that all over the world, America has been witnessing the global problem of religious persecution. The IRFA signing came in the time that there was a bombing in a Coptic Christian church in Cairo, Egypt which killed 24 people, most of them women and children.

The bill was named after the Honorable Frank Wolf, who had represented the 10th congressional of Virginia since 1981. He has since retired but Wolf, as reported by The Christian Post, is widely known as a defender of human rights and religious minorities.

H.R. 1150 is actually an update of an existing law which was signed in 1998 by then president Bill Clinton. Through the bill, which was sponsored by Wolf, the office for the Ambassador-at-Large of the International Religious Freedom at the State Department was established.

The update to the bill will improve the effectiveness of promoting religious liberty through the following:

  • Elevates the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom so he reports directly to the Secretary of State;
  • Calls for the integration of international religious freedom into the foreign policy of the US;
  • Provides for mandatory religious freedom training of foreign service officers, with curriculum being developed by the Ambassador-at-Large;
  • Provides for coordination between the Ambassador and the National Security Council; and
  • Provides for the designation of non-state actors as countries of particular concern.

The update to the bill has been received well by several religious leaders such as Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, who says that the legislation is "a vital step toward protecting conscience freedom for millions of the world's most vulnerable, most oppressed people."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.