United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress. It describes itself as "rounded in and informed by the American experience". It is rooted in the U.S. Evangelical movement Such organisations as Christian Solidarity International, International Christian Concern, Open Doors and theCardinal Kung Foundation as well as the lawyer Michael Horowitz were influences for the foundation of the International Religious Freedom Act.

It is funded entirely by the federal government on an annual basis and its staff members are government employees.

As of June 2010, the Commissioners are:

1) Leonard Leo (chair),Executive Vice President of the...
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