Washington D.C., Aug 22, 2013 / 16:49 pm
Amid ongoing attacks against Coptic Christians in Egypt, a U.S. Senator has introduced legislation aimed at protecting the rights of religious minorities in the Middle East.
"The continued violence against Coptic Christians and other civilians in Egypt is incredibly disturbing and flies in the face of the religious freedoms and fundamental values that Americans hold dear," said Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) in an Aug. 21 press release.
"I urge Majority Leader Reid to allow a vote on this bipartisan legislation, which would call attention to all religious minorities and demonstrate to leaders in the region that the United States takes religious freedom seriously."
Blunt serves on both the Senate defense authorization and defense appropriations committees. He is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations.