Opportunities and obstacles: Congress and international religious freedom policy

Abstract

The current climate in Congress, one of polarization and gridlock, impedes legislative effectiveness. The legislative work pace has slowed, internal rancor has risen, and public trust is low. Such a climate makes substantive change difficult but not impossible. Those who seek to promote international religious freedom in the congressional arena need to find ways to forge bipartisan coalitions and be creative, vigilant, and timely in their use of the tools available to them. The story of the passage of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2011 illustrates some of the opportunities and challenges of Congressional work on IRF policy. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.