WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody is cosponsoring the Combatting the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act to strengthen America’s response to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. The legislation, filed on the 27th anniversary of International Religious Freedom Day, would implement strict sanctions on any CCP official who is responsible for or directly carries out violations of religious freedom.
Senator Ashley 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.”
Senator Ted Budd said, “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.”
Senator Moody is joined by the following Senators in cosponsoring the bill: Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).
Read the full bill text HERE.
Read more in the Daily Wire story titled Lawmakers Push To End Christian Persecution In China As Underground Church Pastors Face Detention
BACKGROUND
The Combatting the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act would:
- Impose sanctions on CCP officials who are responsible for or directly carrying out religious freedom abuse such as arbitrary imprisonment, forced labor, and broader restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.
- Strengthens efforts to combat the ongoing persecution of Protestant Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and other religious minorities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) within Department of State’s programs, including its Bureau of East and Pacific Affairs.
- Expresses the sense of Congress that China should continue to be designated as a Country of Particular Concern.
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