Bill Summary
This resolution expresses strong condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for its persecution of religious minority groups, specifically highlighting the case of Pastor "Ezra" Jin Mingri and other members of the Zion Church, who were abducted during a nationwide crackdown on Christian house churches. The resolution underscores the CCP's ongoing violations of religious freedom in China, including the mistreatment of Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists, as well as its historical efforts to "Sinicize" religion, which includes suppressing religious practices and beliefs.
The resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to promoting religious freedom globally and calls for the release of the detained religious leaders. It urges the Chinese government to respect the right to freedom of religion and to cease all acts of violence and discrimination against religious minorities. Overall, the resolution seeks to reinforce the U.S. stance on human rights and religious freedoms, advocating for international leadership in these areas.
Possible Impacts
The resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution of religious minorities, including the detention of religious leaders such as Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, can have several effects on people, both domestically and internationally. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Awareness and Advocacy**: The resolution may raise awareness about the plight of religious minorities in China. This could lead to greater advocacy efforts by human rights organizations and religious groups, mobilizing individuals and communities to support international campaigns for religious freedom. This increased visibility can empower affected communities and influence public opinion regarding religious persecution.
2. **Potential Policy Changes**: The U.S. government's reaffirmation of its commitment to promote religious freedom may result in new or revised foreign policy measures. This might include the implementation of targeted sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses or increased diplomatic pressure on the Chinese government to respect religious freedoms. Such policy changes could have a direct impact on the lives of religious minorities in China by potentially reducing persecution.
3. **Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers**: The resolution may lead to enhanced support for refugees and asylum seekers from China who are fleeing religious persecution. Increased resources could be allocated to provide legal assistance, resettlement services, and protection for individuals seeking refuge in the United States and other countries. This support can significantly affect the lives of those escaping persecution, offering them safety and the opportunity to practice their faith freely.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 861 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 861
Expressing condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of
religious minority groups, including Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists
and the detention of Pastor ``Ezra'' Jin Mingri and leaders of the Zion
Church, and reaffirming the United States' global commitment to promote
religious freedom and tolerance.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 7, 2025
Mr. Barr (for himself and Mr. Moolenaar) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of
religious minority groups, including Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists
and the detention of Pastor ``Ezra'' Jin Mingri and leaders of the Zion
Church, and reaffirming the United States' global commitment to promote
religious freedom and tolerance.
Whereas, on October 10, 2025, international news outlets reported that the
Chinese Communist Party (referred to in this preamble as the ``CCP'')
abducted Pastor ``Ezra'' Jin Mingri, who is the founder of Beijing Zion
Church, from his home in Guangxi Province, China;
Whereas CCP authorities also abducted more than 20 other pastors and church
members from Zion Church;
Whereas the CCP's actions mark the largest coordinated, nationwide crackdown
against a Christian urban house church in more than 40 years;
Whereas thousands of Zion Church members and millions of Christians and other
religious adherents who reside in the People's Republic of China seek to
peacefully worship God and care for their neighbors without the threat
or fear of persecution;
Whereas the imprisonment of Pastor Jin is the latest instance of CCP persecution
of a large number of religious minorities, including Christians, Muslim
Uyghurs, Hui Muslims, and Tibetan Buddhists;
Whereas, in 2016, President Xi Jinping promised to ``Sinicize'' religion in
China by allowing authorities to burn Bibles, imprison believers, and
tear down Christian crosses, and by forcing religious organizations and
adherents to conform to the ideology of the CCP;
Whereas, in 2021, the Trump administration determined the CCP had committed
crimes against humanity and genocide against predominately Muslim
Uyghurs and other members of ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang
and that the CCP has continued to subject religious minorities to
restrictions on religious practices and freedom of expression, arbitrary
imprisonment, forced sterilization torture, and forced labor;
Whereas the CCP has made consistent efforts to erode the religious, linguistic,
and cultural identity of Tibetans, including by closing Buddhist
monasteries and limiting entry or practitioners;
Whereas Congress unanimously passed the International Religious Freedom Act of
1998 (Public Law 105-292), which established, as the official policy of
the United States--
(1) to condemn violations of religious freedom;
(2) to promote, and assist other governments in the promotion of, the
fundamental right to freedom of religion;
(3) to stand for liberty and with the persecuted;
(4) to use and implement appropriate tools in the United States foreign
policy apparatus, including diplomatic, political, commercial, charitable,
educational, and cultural channels; and
(5) to promote respect for religious freedom by all governments and
peoples;
Whereas, under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the United
States Commission on International Religious Freedom has designated the
People's Republic of China as a ``country of particular concern for
religious freedom'' every year since 1999;
Whereas Congress unanimously passed the Frank R. Wolf International Religious
Freedom Act (Public Law 114-281) in 2016 to enhance the capabilities of
the United States to advance religious liberty globally through
diplomacy, training, counterterrorism, and foreign assistance;
Whereas the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of
title XII of Public Law 114-328), enacted by Congress in 2016, gives the
President the authority to impose targeted sanctions on individuals
responsible for committing human rights violations;
Whereas the People's Republic of China is a signatory to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, done at Paris December 10, 1948, and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, done at New York
December 19, 1966, which recognize freedom of religion as a fundamental
human right;
Whereas Article 36 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China
explicitly states that citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy
freedom of religious belief; and
Whereas the United States must show strong international leadership when it
comes to the advancement of religious freedoms, liberties, and
protections: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) strongly condemns the Chinese Communist Party's
persecution of religious minorities, including Pastor ``Ezra''
Jin Mingri and other leaders and members of Zion Church and
other faith communities;
(2) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to
promote religious freedom and tolerance around the world and to
help provide protection and relief to religious minorities
facing persecution and violence;
(3) calls on the Government of the People's Republic of
China to release the members of Zion Church, including Pastor
Jin, and all other wrongfully detained religious leaders; and
(4) demands that the Government of the People's Republic of
China--
(A) respect the internationally recognized human
right to freedom from religious persecution; and
(B) end all forms of violence and discrimination
against religious minorities and entities.
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