On Monday, January 8, President Trump nominated former Senate member and Kansas governor, Sam Brownback, as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom for the second time in six months. In July, President Trump named Brownback as his nomination for the position. However, the Senate failed to confirm the governor before the year’s end.
The Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom’s office is responsible for “monitor[ing] religious persecution and discrimination worldwide,” in addition to developing programs and executing policies which encourage religious freedom. This position is crucial in leading the US government’s efforts to promote religious freedom around the world.
Former US representative and respected religious freedom advocate, Frank Wolf, spoke in strong support of Governor Brownback and his pursuit of international religious freedom in a confirmation hearing held this past October. However, at the same hearing, Senate Democrats directed questions to Brownback on his reputation toward domestic religious freedoms. With the White House reconfirming Governor Brownback, the Senate will need to take up his confirmation once more.
If Brownback is confirmed by the Senate, he will be replaced as Kansas governor by Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer.
ICC’s Advocacy Manager, Nate Lance, said of the hearing, “The prompt nominations of Gov. Brownback as Ambassador-at-Large by the Trump administration is to be commended. Now is a crucial time for the US government to act swiftly to fill the position and implement strong policies that will intervene on behalf of religious minorities. It is ICC’s desire to see the former governor act quickly on the commitments he made while working to secure the position. We look forward to working with him to further the cause of freedom of religion or belief.”
To read more from International Christian Concern visit www.persecution.org.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images
Publication date: January 9, 2018
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