Federal authorization of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) will expire at the end of this week if the Senate doesn’t act to continue funding before then. From CNS News: Senate May Force Shutdown of Religious Freedom Watchdog.
This is one use of our federal tax dollars that actually does something worthwhile – and the annual budget is only $3 million – vs. – for instance, the hundreds of millions lost on worthless alternative energy scams.
What’s the hold-up with the re-authorization of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)?
As I understand it, this commission will be shut down if the Senate doesn’t approve the renewal by the end of this week (unless funding is included with a continuing resolution, should that become necessary).
As you should know, since its inception over ten years ago, USCIRF has been helping to raise awareness of the ongoing persecution of religious minorities around the world – like the plight of Yousef Nadarkhani in Iran. The commission provides crucial information and advice to Congress and the President about this oppression.
President Obama has arrogantly informed the country that waterboarding is “contrary to America’s traditions.” With such delicate sensibilities, he must surely recoil at acts of aggressive persecution, including murder, of innocent civilians around the world. Or don’t they count as worthy of humanitarian treatment? And is support for freedom of religion no longer an “American tradition?”
Just 11 days ago in Nigeria, more than 200 members of the Islamic extremist Boko Haram sect stormed the Yobe state capital, Damaturu, killing 150 people, most of them Christians. That’s killed – not waterboarded.
How many Americans heard that story? Not nearly enough!
The House has already approved USCIRF reauthorization (even reducing the annual budget from $4.3 million to $3 million). Instead of throwing away close to a billion dollars (!) on misguided “green energy” projects (Solyndra, Lightsquared, Beacon Power…) is there any reason why we can’t spend $3,000,000 on such a worthwhile humanitarian cause?
Let’s get this done!
Thank-you for your support of this extremely important issue,
This is my second letter in just a few days, so both senators are probably tired of hearing from me… too bad!
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Related:
Open Door’s plea for reauthorization
