Venn Institute Releases Scorecard

Press Release

Venn Institute Releases Scorecard on International Religious Freedom

See How Your Federal Legislators Rank

February 20th, 2013 (Salt Lake City, Utah) Today, the Venn Institute released the final International Religious Freedom (IRF) Scorecard grading all federal legislators on their prioritization of international religious freedom during the 112th Congress (2011-2012). Scored items include votes, sponsorship, and co-sponsorship of bills, resolutions, and letters that support IRF.

“Religious Freedom is core to the very essence of being human,” said Lindsay Vessey, Executive Director of Venn Institute. “Federal legislators have the ability to help America lead in the protection and promotion of religious freedom worldwide through making public statements on various issues and cases, by passing bills in support of this freedom, and by exerting pressure in support of religious freedom in specific cases. Freedom of conscience and belief is of utmost importance to religious believers of all faiths, as well as to those of no faith. It should not be partisan, but something that all legislators strive to protect and promote.”

A few key achievements in the 112ths session include:

There was also a bi-partisan increase in members of the IRF Caucus which demonstrates a growing realization of the importance of international religious freedom. Congressional offices were informed which items would be scored throughout the 112th session and this improved outreach and communication has resulted in greater engagement on IRF issue.

Six Representatives received A+ scores:

• Gus Bilirakis – R (FL),
• John Carter – R (TX)
• Trent Franks – R (AZ)
• Vicky Hartzler – R (MO)
• Joe Pitts – R (PA)
• Frank Wolf – R (VA)

Eight received A’s.
Five Senators received A grades:

• Roy Blunt – R (MO)
• John Boozman – R (AR)
• Dan Coats – R (IN)
• John Cornyn – R (TX)
• James Inhofe – R (OK)

Notably, Republicans have taken a lead on this issue. Extensive bi-partisan outreach was conducted. In the 113th session of Congress, Venn Institute will focus on increasing Senate engagement on IRF issues as well as attempting to develop more bi-partisan support for IRF.

The purpose of this scorecard is to keep members apprised of the opportunities to support international religious freedom. It brings a measure of accountability and much needed credit to those who are making IRF a priority in their work.

“The International Religious Freedom Scorecard is an effective tool that has brought much needed awareness to the American public as well as accountability to federal legislators,” said Dr. Thomas F. Farr, director of the Religious Freedom Project, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University. “Rather than focus on just recorded votes, this scorecard measures other meaningful ways in which legislators can promote International Religious Freedom such as through cosponsor ship of key bills and resolutions as well as through membership of the International Religious Freedom Caucus. It is important to recognize the good work of those legislators making this freedom a priority and encouraging those who are not to become more active.”

The International Religious Freedom Scorecard is an educational tool and does not support or endorse specific legislators, parties or candidates.

Venn Institute is a newly founded nonprofit that seeks to promote and protect the fundamental right to full religious freedom for individuals worldwide as guaranteed under Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Executive Director, Lindsay Vessey, founded the Open Doors USA Advocacy program and created this scorecard during her tenure with Open Doors USA. In 2012, Open Doors USA elected to eliminate their current advocacy program and transferred all publication rights of the scorecard to Venn Institute.

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