Panel backs Blunt’s religious freedom bill

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved bipartisan legislation on Wednesday authored by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) to promote religious freedom in the Near East and South Central Asia through appointment of a special envoy.

The envoy would coordinate efforts with the Secretary of State and the ambassador at large for religious freedom to monitor and respond to religious intolerance in the region.

“The continued violence we’ve witnessed against Coptic Christians and other civilians in the Middle East is deeply disturbing and defies the religious freedoms that Americans hold dear,” Blunt said. “I’m pleased the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed this important bipartisan legislation, and I urge (Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to allow a vote to demonstrate to leaders in the region that the United States takes religious freedom seriously.”

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) cosponsored the legislation, along with 18 other senators.

Blunt and Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) noted frequent targeted attacks against Coptic Christian churches and individuals in the region in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry in October.

Blunt also urged Congress to pass the legislation in August and highlighted challenges to religious freedoms throughout the region.