What does Preamble of Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This bill requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly submit a report. The report must detail efforts by the Government of the Russian Federation to persecute, suppress, discriminate, or otherwise violate the religious freedoms of Ukraine and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The bill requires the President to impose applicable sanctions on foreign persons certified to have engaged in such efforts.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Countering Russia's War on Faith Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This section outlines findings regarding Russian actions in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. It states that Russian authorities have imposed policies restricting freedom of religion and belief, violating international law. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has documented severe religious freedom violations, including detention and torture of clergy and believers. Russian forces have reportedly damaged or destroyed over 600 religious sites since the invasion. More than 50 Ukrainian religious leaders have been killed, and many others abducted or detained. Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and other religious communities not aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church have faced persecution. Religious buildings have been seized and repurposed, and charitable ministries dismantled. The Russian Orthodox Church has publicly supported the invasion, framing it in theological terms. Russia's actions are described as a systematic campaign of religious persecution violating international human rights agreements.

What does REPORT ON RUSSIA'S PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN OCCUPIED of Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This section mandates a report on Russia's persecution of religious groups in occupied territories of Ukraine. The Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Director of National Intelligence must jointly submit this report to congressional committees within 120 days of the Act's enactment, and annually for three years. The report must detail Russian government activities persecuting Christians, Jews, and Muslims, including Crimean Tatars, and other religious minorities. It requires identification of religious facilities damaged or seized by Russian forces. The report must assess the number of persecuted individuals, restrictions on religious practices, and efforts to compel religious affiliation with Moscow-based institutions. The report must also include a list of individuals and entities responsible for persecution or discrimination. Following the report's submission, the President must certify whether reasonable grounds exist to determine that listed individuals or entities engaged in the described conduct. If the President makes an affirmative certification, sanctions will be imposed under various regulatory authorities, including the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The President may waive or terminate sanctions if a subsequent report indicates an individual or entity no longer engages in the specified conduct. The report must be submitted in an unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

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Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act

Last updated: 4/22/2026 · Introduced: 4/22/2026

Author: Joe Wilson (R-SC)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons certified to have engaged in efforts to persecute, suppress, discriminate, or otherwise violate the religious freedoms of Ukraine and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
A joint report by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Director of National Intelligence must detail Russian government activities persecuting religious groups, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and identify individuals and entities responsible for persecution or discrimination.
The report must assess the number of persecuted individuals, restrictions on religious practices, and efforts to compel religious affiliation with Moscow-based institutions, and be submitted to congressional committees within 120 days of the Act's enactment, and annually for three years.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4379(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

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