Republicans in the U.S. Congress have introduced a new bill aimed at addressing the ongoing persecution of Christians in China. The proposed legislation, called the “Combating the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act,” seeks to impose sanctions on Chinese officials involved in religious freedom abuses.
Senator Ted Budd from North Carolina introduced the bill on October 27, coinciding with International Religious Freedom Day. In the House, Congressman Mark Alford from Missouri is leading the effort. If the bill passes, it would allow the U.S. to sanction any Chinese official responsible for actions that violate religious freedoms, including arbitrary detention, forced sterilization, torture, forced labor, and severe restrictions on religious expression and movement.
This move comes on the heels of a troubling incident where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) detained over 30 members of Zion Church, a prominent Christian house church. Although Zion Church was shut down in 2018, it had continued to operate in various locations. Following these detentions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the CCP’s actions and called for the immediate release of those detained.
Rubio emphasized that the recent detentions highlight the CCP’s ongoing hostility toward Christians who resist government interference in their faith. He stated that the U.S. must take a strong stance against such actions.
Senator Budd remarked that China’s disregard for religious freedom is a long-standing issue that requires a robust response from the U.S. He stressed that as a leader in promoting freedom worldwide, the U.S. must hold the Chinese government accountable for its history of persecuting religious minorities.
Co-sponsors of the bill in the Senate include Senators Marsha Blackburn, Ashley Moody, Thom Tillis, and Todd Young. In the House, co-sponsors include Representatives Greg Steube, Dan Crenshaw, and Michael McCaul.
The bill aims to enhance the efforts of the State Department to combat the persecution of various religious groups in China, including Protestant Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners. A recent report indicated that the CCP has engaged in severe human rights abuses against religious adherents, including torture and forced indoctrination.
In a related effort, Senator Ted Cruz introduced a resolution calling for the release of the detained members of Zion Church and other religious leaders wrongfully held by the Chinese government.
The introduction of this bill marks a significant step in U.S. policy regarding religious freedom and reflects a growing concern over the treatment of religious minorities in China.
