Washington D.C., Nov 25, 2011 / 13:06 pm
A federal commission that advocates for religious freedom around the world has been given a four-week reprieve from closing its doors on Nov. 18.
Funding for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was included in a “minibus” spending bill to fund the federal government through Dec. 16, amid continuing budget-reducing negotiations.
The bill was approved by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Nov. 17 and signed into law the next day by President Barack Obama.
Originally set to expire at the end of September, funding for the commission had already been extended through Nov. 18. At that date, the commission would have come to an end if Congress had not approved continued funding for another four weeks.