Bill · S. 4379· Senate(119-S-4379)
Russia’s War on Faith Act
- Introduced
- 4/22/2026
- Last activity
- 4/22/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- John Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 6
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Russia's War on Faith Act" requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly submit a report regarding the Russian Federation's efforts to violate religious freedoms in occupied Ukrainian territories. This report must detail the persecution of various religious groups and identify destroyed or seized religious facilities. Following the report, the President must certify whether specific individuals or entities have engaged in such conduct. If the President provides an affirmative certification, they are required to impose applicable sanctions on those persons. The Act aims to hold those responsible for religious suppression accountable through these economic and legal measures.
Yes
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?+7
The bill mandates reporting and sanctions to protect against the suppression of religious groups in occupied Ukraine.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+3
The bill protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and belief which are fundamental to free expression.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+2
By taking a stance against Russian religious persecution, the bill aligns U.S. policy with international human rights standards.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Accountability for Human Rights Abuses: By requiring a detailed report on the persecution of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other religious minorities, the bill aims to document and highlight the suppression of these groups (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Targeting of Religious Suppression: The bill establishes a mechanism to impose sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for the destruction, seizure, or repurposing of religious facilities like churches, synagogues, and mosques (Section s3(a)(2)).
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Protection of Religious Freedoms: The mandate for the President to impose sanctions on those engaged in religious persecution serves as a tool to address the systematic campaign against the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (Section 2(8)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential for Sanction Reversal: The bill allows the President to waive or terminate sanctions if a subsequent report indicates that an individual or entity no longer engages in the described conduct (Section 3(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Religious Freedom+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+2
- 8/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/4/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
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