,,ii #aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bhgh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #bh1 #bjaf,mr4 ,rubio 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 and ,mr4 ,blunt7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih to improve the ability of the ,united ,states to advance religious freedom globally through enhanced diplomacy1 training1 counterterrorism1 and foreign assistance efforts1 and through stronger and more flexible political responses to religious freedom violations and violent extremism worldwide1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title and table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,frank ,r4 ,wolf ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title and table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,findings2 ,policy4,sec4 #c4 ,definitions4,title ,i--,department of ,state activities,sec4 #aja4 ,office on ,international ,religious ,freedom2 ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom4,sec4 #ajb4 ,annual ,report on ,international ,religious ,freedom4,sec4 #ajc4 ,training for ,foreign ,service officers2 ,report4,sec4 #ajd4 ,prisoner lists and issue briefs on religious freedom concerns4,title ,,ii--,national ,security ,council,sec4 #bja4 ,special ,adviser for ,international ,religious ,freedom4,title ,,iii--,presidential actions,sec4 #cja4 ,non-state actor designations4,sec4 #cjb4 ,presidential actions in response to particularly severe violations of religious freedom4,sec4 #cjc4 ,report to ,congress4,sec4 #cjd4 ,presidential waiver4,sec4 #cje4 ,publication in the ,federal ,register4,title ,,iv--,promotion of religious freedom,sec4 #dja4 ,assistance for promoting religious freedom4,title ,v--,designated ,persons ,list for ,particularly ,severe ,violations of ,religious ,freedom,sec4 #eja4 ,designated ,persons ,list for ,particularly ,severe ,violations of ,religious ,freedom4,title ,,vi--,miscellaneous provisions,sec4 #fja4 ,miscellaneous provisions4,sec4 #fjb4 ,clerical amendments4 #b4 ,findings2 ,policy 7a7 ,findings ,section #b7;a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting immediately prior to the penultimate sentence the following new sentence3 ,the freedom of thought1 conscience1 and religion is understood to protect theistic and non-theistic beliefs as well as the right not to profess or practice any religion42 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f7-- 7,a7 by inserting and the specific targeting of non-theists1 humanists1 and atheists because of their beliefs after religious persecution2 and 7,b7 by inserting and in regions where non-state actors exercise significant political power and influence after religious majorities4 7b7 ,policy ,section #b7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja7;b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 ,because the promotion of international religious freedom protects human rights1 advances democracy abroad1 and advances ,united ,states interests in stability1 security1 and development globally1 the promotion of international religious freedom requires new and evolving policies1 and diplomatic responses that are drawn from the expertise of the national security agencies1 the diplomatic services1 and other governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations1 and are coordinated across and carried out by the entire range of ,federal agencies4 4 #c4 ,definitions ,section #c of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdjb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#ac7 as paragraph 7#af72 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#aj71 7#aa71 and 7#ab7 as paragraphs 7#ab71 7#ac71 and 7#ad71 respectively2 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#i7 the following3 7#aj7 ,institution of ,higher ,education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#aa7 ,non-state actor ,the term non-state actor means a nonsovereign entity that exercises significant political power and is able to exert influence at a national or international level but does not belong to or ally itself to any particular country and often employs illegal violence in pursuit of its objectives4 2 7#d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#ad71 as redesignated1 the following3 7#ae7 ,special watch list ,the term ,special ,watch ,list means the ,special ,watch ,list contained in the ,executive ,summary to the ,annual ,report and described in section #ajb7;b77#a77;,f77iii74 2 and 7#e7 in paragraph 7#af71 as redesignated-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by redesignating clauses 7iv7 and 7v7 as clauses 7v7 and 7vi71 respectively2 and 7ii7 by inserting after clause 7iii7 the following3 7iv7 not professing a particular religion1 or any religion2 2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by inserting conscience1 non-theistic views1 or before religious belief or practice2 and 7ii7 by inserting 1 forcibly compelling non-believers or non-theists to recant their beliefs or to convert after forced religious conversion4 ,i ,department of ,state activities #aja4 ,office on ,international ,religious ,freedom2 ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom 7a7 ,in general ,section #aja of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by inserting 1 and shall report directly to the ,secretary of ,state before the period at the end2 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by striking responsibility and inserting responsibilities2 7ii7 by striking shall be to advance and inserting the following3 shall be to-- 7,a7 advance 2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,a7 7as so added71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iv7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 integrate ,united ,states international religious freedom policies and strategies into the foreign policy efforts of the ,united ,states4 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting the principal adviser to before the ,secretary of ,state2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 contacts with nongovernmental organizations that have an impact on the state of religious freedom in their respective societies or regions1 or internationally4 2 7,d7 by redesignating paragraph 7#d7 as paragraph 7#e72 and 7,e7 by inserting after paragraph 7#c7 the following3 7#d7 ,coordination responsibilities ,in order to promote religious freedom as an interest of ,united ,states foreign policy1 the ,ambassador at ,large-- 7,a7 shall coordinate international religious freedom policies across all programs1 projects1 and activities of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 should participate in any interagency processes on issues in which the promotion of international religious freedom policy can advance ,united ,states national security interests1 including in democracy promotion1 stability1 security1 and development globally4 2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7d71 by striking staff for the ,office and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting individuals to fill at least #be full-time equivalent staff positions1 and any other temporary staff positions as needed to compile1 edit1 and manage the ,annual ,report under the direct supervision of the ,ambassador at ,large1 and for the conduct of investigations by the ,office and for necessary travel to carry out the provisions of this ,act4 ,the ,secretary of ,state should also provide to the ,ambassador at ,large funds that are sufficient to carry out the duties described in this section1 including as necessary representation funds1 in amounts comparable to those provided to other ,ambassadors at ,large in the ,department of ,state44 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,because international religious freedom is a vital foreign policy interest and one that needs coordination across many regional bureaus and among ,special ,envoys and ,special ,representatives with overlapping mandates1 the ,secretary of ,state should consider elevating the office of ,international ,religious ,freedom and the position of the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom to the ,office of the ,secretary1 similar to other ,ambassador at ,large positions that now report directly to the ,secretary4 ,providing the ,office of ,international ,religious ,freedom with additional resources and status will demonstrate both the strategic importance of international religious freedom policy within the ,state ,department bureaucracy and show persecuted religious groups globally that the ,u4,s4 gives priority to the protection and promotion of international religious freedom as mandated by the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih4 #ajb4 ,annual ,report on ,international ,religious ,freedom 7a7 ,in general ,section #ajb7;b77#a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7;b77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking ,september #a and inserting ,may #a2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,a7 by redesignating clause 7iv7 as clause 7vii72 and 7,b7 by inserting after clause 7iii7 the following new clauses3 7iv7 particularly severe violations of religious freedom in that country in the case of a foreign country with respect to which a government does not exist or the government does not control its territory2 7v7 an identification of prisoners in that country pursuant to section #ajh2 7vi7 any action taken by the government of that country to censor religious content1 communications1 or worship activities online1 including descriptions of the targeted religious group1 the content1 communication1 or activities censored1 and the means used2 and 2 7#c7 in subparagraph 7,b71 in the matter preceding clause 7i7-- 7,a7 by inserting persecution of lawyers1 politicians1 or other human rights advocates seeking to defend the rights of members of religious groups or highlight religious freedom violations1 prohibitions on ritual animal slaughter or male infant circumcision1 after entire religions12 and 7,b7 by inserting policies that ban or restrict the public manifestation of religious belief and the peaceful involvement of religious groups or their members in the political life of each such foreign country1 after such groups12 7#d7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7,a7 by striking ,a description and inserting ,a comprehensive description2 7,b7 by striking policies in support and inserting diplomatic and political coordination efforts1 and other policies in support2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end before the period the following3 1 and a comprehensive and country-specific analysis of the impact of actions by the ,united ,states on the status of religious freedom in each such country2 and 7#e7 in subparagraph 7,f7-- 7,a7 in clause 7i7-- 7i7 by striking section #djb7;b77#a7 and inserting section #djb7;b77#a77;,b77i72 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 ,any country in which a non-state actor designated as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom under section #cja of the ,frank ,r4 ,wolf ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act is located shall be included in this section of the report42 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 ,special ,watch ,list ,a list1 to be known as the ,special ,watch ,list1 which shall identify each country that engages in or tolerates severe violations of religious freedom during the previous year but which the ,president determines does not meet1 at the time of the publication of the ,annual ,report1 all of the criteria described in section #c7aa7 for designation under section #djb7;b77#a74 4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the original intent of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja et seq47 was to require annual reports from both the ,department of ,state and the ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom to be delivered each year1 during the same calendar year1 and with at least #e months separating these reports1 in order to provide updated information for policymakers1 ,members of ,congress1 and nongovernmental organizations2 and 7#b7 given that the annual ,country ,reports on ,human ,rights ,practices no longer contain updated information on religious freedom conditions globally1 it is important that the ,department of ,state and the ,commission work together to fulfill the original intent of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih4 #ajc4 ,training for ,foreign ,service officers2 report 7a7 ,amendment to ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj ,section #gjh of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #djbh7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7b7 and 7c7 as subsections 7d7 and 7e71 respectively2 7#b7 in subsection 7d71 as redesignated1 by striking ,the ,secretary of ,state and inserting ,refugees4--,the ,secretary of ,state2 7#c7 in subsection 7e71 as redesignated1 by striking ,the ,secretary of ,state and inserting ,child ,soldiers4--,the ,secretary of ,state2 and 7#d7 by striking subsection 7a7 and inserting the following3 7a7 ,development of curriculum 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state shall develop a curriculum for training ,united ,states ,foreign ,service officers in the scope and strategic value of international religious freedom1 how violations of international religious freedom harm fundamental ,united ,states interests1 how the advancement of international religious freedom can advance such interests1 how ,united ,states international religious freedom policy should be carried out in practice by ,united ,states diplomats and other ,foreign ,service officers1 and the relevance and relationship of international religious freedom to ,united ,states defense1 diplomacy1 development1 and public affairs efforts4 ,the ,secretary of ,state shall ensure the availability of sufficient resources to develop and implement such curriculum4 7#b7 ,role of other officials ,the ,secretary of ,state shall carry out paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 with the assistance of the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom appointed under section #aja7;b7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih2 7,b7 in coordination with the ,director of the ,george ,p4 ,shultz ,national ,foreign ,affairs ,training ,center and other ,federal officials as appropriate2 and 7,c7 in consultation with the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom established in section #bja7;a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih and other relevant stakeholders4 7b7 ,training ,program ,not later than the #a year after the date of the enactment of the ,frank ,r4 ,wolf ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act1 the ,director of the ,george ,p4 ,shultz ,national ,foreign ,affairs ,training ,center shall begin mandatory training on religious freedom for all ,foreign ,service officers1 including all entry level officers1 all officers prior to departure for posting outside the ,united ,states1 and all outgoing deputy chiefs of mission and ambassadors4 ,such training shall1 at minimum1 be a separate1 independent1 and required segment of each of the following3 7#a7 ,the ,a-#ajj course attended by all ,foreign ,service officers4 7#b7 ,the courses required of every ,foreign ,service officer prior to a posting outside the ,united ,states1 with segments tailored to the particular religious demography1 religious freedom conditions1 and ,united ,states strategies for advancing religious freedom1 in each receiving country4 7#c7 ,the courses required of all outgoing deputy chiefs of mission and ambassadors4 7c7 ,information ,sharing ,the curriculum and training materials developed pursuant to subsections 7a7 and 7b7 should be made available to all other ,federal agencies4 4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 with the assistance of the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom1 and the ,director of the ,george ,p4 ,shultz ,national ,foreign ,affairs ,training ,center1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate a report containing a comprehensive plan for undertaking training for ,foreign ,service officers as required under section #gjh of the ,foreign ,services ,act of #aihj1 as amended by subsection 7a74 #ajd4 ,prisoner lists and issue briefs on religious freedom concerns ,section #ajh of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdag7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by striking faith and inserting activities1 religious freedom advocacy1 or efforts to protect and advance the universally recognized right to the freedom of religion12 7#b7 in subsection 7c71 by striking 1 as appropriate1 provide and insert make available2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,victims ,list ,maintained by the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall make publicly available online and in official publications lists of persons it determines are imprisoned1 detained1 disappeared1 placed under house arrest1 tortured1 or subject to forced renunciations of faith for their religious activity or religious freedom advocacy by the government of a foreign country that the ,commission recommends for designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under section #djb7;b77#a7 or by a non-state actor that the ,commission recommends for designation as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom under section #cja of the ,frank ,r4 ,wolf ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act and include as much publicly available information as possible on the conditions and circumstances of such persons4 7#b7 ,discretion ,in compiling such lists1 the ,commission shall exercise all appropriate discretion1 including consideration of the safety and security of1 and benefit to1 the persons who may be included on the lists and the families of such persons4 4 ,,ii ,national ,security ,council #bja4 ,special ,adviser for ,international ,religious ,freedom ,section #aja7k7 of the ,national ,security ,act of #aidg 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #cjba7 is amended to read as follows3 7k7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that there should be within the staff of the ,national ,security ,council a ,special ,adviser to the ,president on ,international ,religious ,freedom1 whose position should be comparable to that of a director within the ,executive ,office of the ,president1 with the primary responsibility to serve as a resource for executive branch officials on international religious freedom1 compiling and maintaining information on the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom 7as defined in section #c of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih71 and making relevant policy recommendations to advance ,united ,states international religious freedom policy4 ,the ,special ,advisor should also assist the ,ambassador at ,large to coordinate international religious freedom policies and strategies throughout the executive branch and within any interagency policy committees where the ,ambassador at ,large participates4 4 ,,iii ,presidential actions #cja4 ,non-state actor designations 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall1 concurrent with the annual foreign country review required under section #djb7;b77#a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7;b77#a77-- 7#a7 review and identify any non-state actors operating in any such reviewed country or surrounding region that have engaged in particularly severe violations of religious freedom2 and 7#b7 designate1 in a manner consistent with such ,act1 each such non-state actor as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom4 7b7 ,report ,whenever the ,president designates a non-state actor under subsection 7a7 as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom1 the ,president shall1 as soon as practicable after the designation is made1 submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing the reasons for such designation4 7c7 ,actions ,the ,president should take specific actions to address severe violations of religious freedom of non-state actors that are designated under subsection 7a71 including taking actions commensurate to those actions described in section #dje of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdde74 7d7 ,department of ,state annual report ,the ,secretary of ,state should include information detailing the reasons the ,president designated a non-state actor as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom under subsection 7a7 in the ,annual ,report required in section #ajb7;b77#a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7;b77#a774 7e7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,secretary of ,state should work with ,congress to create new political1 financial1 and diplomatic tools to address severe violations of religious freedom by non-state actors and to update the actions the ,president can take in section #dje of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih4 7f7 ,determinations of responsible parties ,in order to appropriately target ,presidential actions under the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih in response1 the ,president shall with respect to each non-state actor designated as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom under subsection 7a71 seek to determine the specific officials or members thereof that are responsible for the particularly severe violations of religious freedom engaged in or tolerated by that entity4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the terms appropriate congressional committees1 non-state actor1 and particularly severe violations of religious freedom have the meanings given such terms in section #c of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdjb71 as amended by section #c of this ,act4 #cjb4 ,presidential actions in response to particularly severe violations of religious freedom ,section #djb of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by amending subparagraph 7,a7 to read as follows3 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date on which each ,annual ,report is submitted under section #ajb7;b71 the ,president shall-- 7i7 review the status of religious freedom in each foreign country to determine whether the government of that country has engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom in each such country during the preceding #ab months or longer2 7ii7 designate each country the government of which has engaged in or tolerated violations described in clause 7i7 as a country of particular concern for religious freedom4 2 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking ,september #a of the respective year and inserting the date on which each ,annual ,report is submitted under section #ajb7;b72 7,b7 by amending paragraph 7#c7 to read as follows3 7#c7 ,congressional notification 7,a7 ,in general ,whenever the ,president designates a country as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,president shall1 not later than #ij days after the designation is made1 transmit to the appropriate congressional committees-- 7i7 the designation of the country1 signed by the ,president2 7ii7 the identification1 if any1 of responsible parties determined under paragraph 7#b72 and 7iii7 a description of the actions taken under subsection 7c71 the purposes of the actions taken1 and the effectiveness of the actions taken4 7,b7 ,removal of designation ,a country that is designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall retain such designation until the ,president determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the country should no longer be so designated4 2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,treatment of countries on ,special ,watch ,list 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall designate as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 any country that appears on the ,special ,watch ,list in more than #b consecutive ,annual ,reports4 7,b7 ,exercise of waiver authority ,the ,president may waive the application of subparagraph 7,a7 with respect to a country for up to #b years if the ,president certifies to the appropriate committees of ,congress that-- 7i7 the country has entered into an agreement with the ,united ,states to carry out specific and credible actions to improve religious freedom conditions and end religious freedom violations2 7ii7 the country has entered into an agreement with the ,united ,nations1 the ,european ,union1 or other ally of the ,united ,states1 to carry out specific and credible actions to improve religious freedom conditions and end religious freedom violations2 or 7iii7 the waiver is in the national security interests of the ,united ,states4 7,c7 ,effect on designation as country of particular concern ,the presence or absence of a country from the ,special ,watch ,list in any given year shall not preclude the designation of such country as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 in any such year4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#e71 in the second sentence1 by inserting and include a description of the impact of the designation of such sanction or sanctions that exist in each country after determines satisfy the requirements of this subsection4 #cjc4 ,report to ,congress ,section #djd7;a77#d77;,a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddd7;a77#d77;,a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7iii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7iv7 the impact on the advancement of ,united ,states interests in democracy1 human rights1 and security1 and a description of policy tools being applied in the country1 including programs that target democratic stability1 economic growth1 and counterterrorism4 4 #cjd4 ,presidential waiver ,section #djg of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking subsection 7b7 and inserting subsection 7c72 and 7,b7 by inserting 1 for a single #ahj-;day period1 after may waive2 7#b7 by striking that-- and all that follows and inserting that the exercise of such waiver authority would further the purposes of this ,act42 7#c7 by redesignating subsection 7b7 as subsection 7c72 7#d7 by inserting after subsection 7a7 the following3 7b7 ,additional authority ,subject to subsection 7c71 the ,president may waive1 for any additional period of time after the #ahj-;day period described in subsection 7a71 the application of any of the actions described in paragraphs 7#i7 through 7#ae7 of section #dje7;a7 7or a commensurate action in substitution thereto7 with respect to a country1 if the ,president determines and so reports to the appropriate congressional committees that-- 7#a7 the respective foreign government has ceased the violations giving rise to the ,presidential action2 or 7#b7 the exercise of such authority is important to the national interests of the ,united ,states4 2 7#e7 in subsection 7c71 by inserting or 7b7 after subsection 7a72 and 7#f7 by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 ongoing and persistent waivers of the application of any of the actions described in paragraphs 7#i7 through 7#ae7 of section #dje7;a7 7or commensurate action in substitution thereto7 with respect to a country do not fulfill the purposes of this ,act2 and 7#b7 because the promotion of religious freedom is a compelling interest of ,united ,states foreign policy1 the ,president1 the ,secretary of ,state1 and other executive branch officials1 in consultation with ,congress1 should seek to find ways to address existing violations1 on a case-by-case basis1 through the actions specified in section #dje or other commensurate action in substitution thereto4 4 #cje4 ,publication in the ,federal ,register ,section #djh7;a77#a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddh7;a77#a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,any designation of a non-state actor as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom under section #cja of the ,frank ,r4 ,wolf ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act1 together with1 when applicable and to the extent practicable1 the identities of individuals determined to be responsible for the violations under subsection 7e7 of such section44 ,,iv ,promotion of religious freedom #dja4 ,assistance for promoting religious freedom 7a7 ,availability of assistance ,it is the sense of ,congress that for each fiscal year that begins on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,department of ,state should make available-- 7#a7 an amount equal to not less than #aj percent of the amounts available in that fiscal year for the ,human ,rights and ,democracy ,fund for the promotion of international religious freedom and for projects to advance ,united ,states interests in the protection and advancement of international religious freedom1 in particular1 through grants to-- 7,a7 groups that are able to develop legal protections or promote cultural and societal understanding of international norms of religious freedom2 7,b7 groups that seek to address and mitigate religiously motivated and sectarian violence and combat violent extremism2 and 7,c7 groups that seek to strengthen investigations1 reporting1 and monitoring of religious freedom violations1 including genocide perpetrated against religious minorities2 and 7#b7 an amount equal to not less than #b percent of amounts available in that fiscal year for the ,human ,rights and ,democracy ,fund to be made available for the establishment of a ,religious ,freedom ,defense ,fund1 administered by the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom1 to provide grants for-- 7,a7 victims of religious freedom abuses and their families to cover legal and other expenses that may arise from detention1 imprisonment1 torture1 fines1 and other restrictions2 and 7,b7 projects to help create and support training of a new generation of defenders of religious freedom1 including legal and political advocates1 and civil society projects which seek to create advocacy networks1 strengthen legal representation1 train and educate new religious freedom defenders1 and build the capacity of religious communities and rights defenders to protect against religious freedom violations1 mitigate societal or sectarian violence1 or minimize legal or other restrictions of the right to freedom of religion4 7b7 ,preference ,it is the sense of ,congress that1 in providing grants under subsection 7a71 the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom should1 as appropriate1 give preference to projects targeting religious freedom violations in countries designated as countries of particular concern for religious freedom under section #djb7;b77#a7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7;b77#a77 and countries included on the ,special ,watch ,list described in section #ajb7;b77#a77;,f77iii7 of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdab7;b77#a77;,f77iii774 7c7 ,administration and consultations 7#a7 ,administration ,amounts made available in accordance with subsection 7a7 shall be administered by the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom4 7#b7 ,consultations ,in developing priorities and policies for providing grants in accordance with subsection 7a71 including priorities and policies for identification of potential grantees1 the ,ambassador at ,large for ,international ,religious ,freedom shall consult with other ,federal agencies1 including the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom and1 as appropriate1 nongovernmental organizations4 ,v ,designated ,persons ,list for ,particularly ,severe ,violations of ,religious ,freedom #eja4 ,designated ,persons ,list for ,particularly ,severe ,violations of ,religious ,freedom ,title ,,vi of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdga et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #fje as section #fjf2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #fjd the following3 #fje4 ,designated ,persons ,list for ,particularly ,severe ,violations of ,religious ,freedom 7a7 ,list 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in coordination with the ,ambassador at ,large and in consultation with relevant government and nongovernment experts1 shall establish and maintain a list of foreign individuals who are sanctioned1 through visa denials1 financial sanctions1 or other measures1 because they are responsible for ordering1 controlling1 or otherwise directing particularly severe violations of freedom religion4 7#b7 ,reference ,the list required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be known as the ,designated ,persons ,list for ,particularly ,severe ,violations of ,religious ,freedom4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the list required under subsection 7a71 including1 with respect to each foreign individual on the list-- 7,a7 the name of the individual and a description of the particularly severe violation of religious freedom committed by the individual2 7,b7 the name of the country or other location in which such violation took place2 and 7,c7 a description of the actions taken pursuant to this ,act or any other ,act or ,executive order in response to such violation4 7#b7 ,submission and updates ,the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees-- 7,a7 the initial report required under paragraph 7#a7 not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this section2 and 7,b7 updates to the report every #ahj days thereafter and as new information becomes available4 7#c7 ,form ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 should be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex4 7#d7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate4 4 ,,vi ,miscellaneous provisions #fja4 ,miscellaneous provisions ,title ,,vii of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdha et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #gjb4 ,voluntary codes of conduct for ,united ,states institutions of higher education outside the ,united ,states 7a7 ,finding ,congress recognizes the enduring importance of ,united ,states institutions of higher education worldwide both for their potential for shaping positive leadership and new educational models in host countries and for their emphasis on teaching universally recognized rights of free inquiry and academic freedom4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that ,united ,states institutions of higher education operating campuses outside the ,united ,states or establishing any educational entities with foreign governments1 particularly with or in countries the governments of which engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom as identified in the ,annual ,report1 should seek to adopt a voluntary code of conduct for operating in such countries that should-- 7#a7 uphold the right of freedom of religion of their employees and students1 including the right to manifest that religion peacefully as protected in international law2 7#b7 ensure that the religious views and peaceful practice of religion in no way affect1 or be allowed to affect1 the status of a worker's or faculty member's employment or a student's enrollment2 and 7#c7 make every effort in all negotiations1 contracts1 or memoranda of understanding engaged in or constructed with a foreign government to protect academic freedom and the rights enshrined in the ,united ,nations ,declaration of ,human ,rights4 #gjc4 ,sense of ,congress regarding national security strategy to promote religious freedom through ,united ,states foreign policy ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the annual national security strategy report of the ,president required by section #ajh of the ,national ,security ,act of #aidg 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #cjdc7 should promote international religious freedom as a foreign policy and national security priority and should articulate that promotion of the right to freedom of religion is a strategy that protects other1 related human rights1 and advances democracy outside the ,united ,states1 and make clear its importance to ,united ,states foreign policy goals of stability1 security1 development1 and diplomacy2 and 7#b7 the national security strategy report should be a guide for the strategies and activities of relevant ,federal agencies and inform the ,department of ,defense quadrennial defense review under section #aah of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 and the ,department of ,state ,quadrennial ,diplomacy and ,development ,review4 4 #fjb4 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents of the ,international ,religious ,freedom ,act of #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdja note7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the item relating to section #fje and inserting the following3 ,sec4 #fjf4 ,studies on the effect of expedited removal provisions on asylum claims4 2 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #fjd the following3 ,sec4 #fje4 ,designated ,persons ,list for ,particularly ,severe ,violations of ,religious ,freedom4 2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 ,sec4 #gjb4 ,voluntary codes of conduct for ,united ,states institutions of higher education operating outside the ,united ,states4,sec4 #gjc4 ,sense of ,congress regarding national security strategy to promote religious freedom through ,united ,states foreign policy4 4