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National Religious Freedom Day

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 16, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Religion

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Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, today is a very important day that we recognize once a year--National Religious Freedom Day. It is a day when we celebrate America's longstanding commitment to religious freedom.

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects that right for Americans. Unfortunately, this fundamental right we have great respect for in the United States is under attack internationally in many autocratic countries.

Around the world, people are being persecuted for their faith by authoritarian dictatorships and terrorist groups. Countries like China, North Korea, and Russia restrict their citizens' rights to practice their own religion.

China, for example, plans to enforce additional restrictions on religious groups starting February 1. That is already on top of a very bad record they have for religious freedom. That is in regard to China, but it would apply to all countries.

I have legislation to require the United States to work to block World Bank projects in wealthy countries like China and Russia that abuse religious freedoms.

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