WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 1744 · 119th Congress

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sent to PresidentInternational Affairs
IntroducedFeb 27, 2025
Passed HouseJun 8, 2026
Passed SenateSep 29, 2026
To PresidentOct 26, 2026
Became lawNot yet

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 1744 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

22 U.S.C. 6435

22 U.S.C. 6436

What the words would change: every change, in place (2)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 22 U.S.C. 6435(a)changedby H.R. 1744 Sec. 2(a)

    (a) In general. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission $3,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2025 and 20262027 and 2028, and for the period beginning on October 1, 2028, and ending on December 31, 2028 to carry out the provisions of this chapter and section 6433a of this title.

    The bill says: Section 207(a) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6435(a)) is amended by striking "2025 and 2026" and inserting "2027 and 2028, and for the period beginning on October 1, 2028, and ending on December 31, 2028".

    Bill text · Current law (22 U.S.C. 6435)

  2. 22 U.S.C. 6436changedby H.R. 1744 Sec. 2(b)

    The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 2026December 31, 2028.

    The bill says: Section 209 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6436) is amended by striking "September 30, 2026" and inserting "December 31, 2028".

    Bill text · Current law (22 U.S.C. 6436)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom through 2028. The commission is an independent federal commission tasked with monitoring international religious freedom conditions, reviewing U.S. government policy, and making policy recommendations. (Under current law, the commission is authorized through December 11, 2026.)

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Passed Senate, Sep 29, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. 2026-10-26Presented to President.House floor actions
  2. 2026-10-26Presented to President.Library of Congress
  3. 2026-10-14Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  4. 2026-09-29Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5186)Senate
  5. 2026-09-29Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5186)Library of Congress
  6. 2026-09-29Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
  7. 2026-09-29Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  8. 2026-06-09Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.Senate
  9. 2026-06-08The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  10. 2026-06-08Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  11. 2026-06-08On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3947)House floor actions
  12. 2026-06-08Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3947)Library of Congress
  13. 2026-06-08DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1744.House floor actions
  14. 2026-06-08Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3947-3948)House floor actions
  15. 2026-06-08Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  16. 2026-03-26Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 0.House committee actions
  17. 2026-03-26Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  18. 2025-02-27Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.House floor actions
  19. 2025-02-27Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  20. 2025-02-27Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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Cosponsors

  • Gus M. Bilirakis R-FL-12
  • Jason Crow D-CO-6
  • Henry Cuellar D-TX-28
  • Bill Huizenga R-MI-4
  • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
  • Ted Lieu D-CA-36
  • Michael T. McCaul R-TX-10
  • Jamie Raskin D-MD-8
  • Maria Elvira Salazar R-FL-27
  • Brad Sherman D-CA-32
  • Thomas R. Suozzi D-NY-3