Washington, D.C. (December 15, 2011) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois has released his call back on H.R 2867, legislation that would reauthorize the U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom. However Senator Durbin also added an amendment to the legislation that would force many of the longest serving commissioners to leave USCIRF permanently, thereby removing some of the commissions most experienced and knowledgeable staff. The amended bill passed the Senate on Tuesday and the House was notified Wednesday of the Senate’s decision. With the commission only hours from closing its doors permanently and the House on the verge of leaving for its winter recess, House legislators must now quickly choose between voting for an amended reauthorization bill or risking the extinction of USCIRF.
The amendment, S.AMDT. 1461, limits all commissioners to two two-year terms and indicates that all commissioners who have served two terms, or four years, will have their membership expire within ninety days. The amendment also explicitly places the travel of the unpaid commissioners under the same regulations governing travel for State Department employees, thereby limiting what travel expenses will be covered by the government. This may have a negative impact on the commissioners’ ability to travel to areas where religious freedom is strictly curtailed and to collect otherwise unreported information on religious persecution. 
The original sponsor of the reauthorization bill, as well as the legislation that created USCIRF in 1998, Representative Frank Wolf, R-Va., was quoted in World Magazine as saying that the new amendment was “bad” and equated the last minute political brinkmanship to blackmail. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., was also quoted as saying “There are people who are trying to kill this commission.” Sen. Durbin’s office was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.
International Christian Concern’s Advocacy Officer, Isaac Six, said, “While we are relieved at the possibility of the commission being reauthorized, it is highly unfortunate that Senator Dick Durbin has chosen to hold the U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom hostage to his personal agenda. The last second timing of this amendment and the provisions within the amendment clearly indicate that Senator Durbin has no reservations about playing games with the very serious issue of religious persecution. This amendment will rid the commission of its most experienced advisors and ultimately cripple its effectiveness at addressing violations of religious liberty.”