Wed., February 4: Rep. Chris Smith to chair Foreign Affairs hearing"Defending Religious Freedom Around the World"

Wed., February 4: Rep. Chris Smith to chair Foreign Affairs hearing "Defending Religious Freedom Around the World" f t # Washington,
Jan 30, 2026 | comments On Wednesday, February 4 th , Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, and Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, will chair a joint hearing on the current state of religious persecution throughout the globe and examine the United States’ efforts to defend and advance religious freedom worldwide. WHAT : Congressional hearing on the status of religious persecution throughout the globe, with a focus on Nigeria, China, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, and North Korea. The hearing will also assess U.S. efforts and initiatives to promote religious freedom in those countries and beyond. WHEN : Wednesday, February 4 th , 2026 at 10:30 AM WITNESSES : (Partial list) The Honorable Sam Brownback, Former Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, U.S. Department of State Grace Drexel, Daughter of Pastor Ezra Jin Dr. Stephen F. Schneck, Former Chair, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom WHERE : 2172 Rayburn House Office Building and livestreaming on YouTube WHO : Chairman Chris Smith, Chairwoman Maria Salazar, other members of the HFAC Africa and Western Hemisphere Subcommittees, and witnesses ### f t #