Jan 15, 2021

USCIRF Releases New Report about Key U.S. Government IRF Vacancies for Biden Administration to Fill

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet highlighting key positions in the United States government related to international religious freedom that require appointments by the incoming Biden administration:

Factsheet on Key U.S. Government IRF Positions - This factsheet provides an overview of the key political appointments within the U.S. government that have the most relevance to international religious freedom (IRF). The primary IRF positions that the president appoints derive from the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA): the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department; the Special Adviser for International Religious Freedom on the National Security Council (NSC) staff; and three of the nine USCIRF Commissioners. In addition, various current or recent State Department special envoy and representative positions—created either by acts of Congress or by presidents or secretaries of state—are relevant to IRF promotion.

The president of the United States is responsible for nearly 4,000 political appointments throughout the federal government, including approximately 1,200 that require Senate confirmation. Some of these positions have responsibility for implementing U.S. policies designed to protect and promote religious freedom abroad.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected].