Expressing concerns regarding the urgent and escalating threats facing Coptic Christians.

Bill Number

H.Res. 776

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-05-08T08:06:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 776) aims to express the U.S. House of Representatives' concerns about the growing threats and discrimination faced by Coptic Christians in Egypt, while highlighting the importance of religious freedom and urging the Egyptian government to protect this minority group. It underscores the U.S.-Egypt partnership but emphasizes human rights as a key element of bilateral relations.

Key Provisions

The resolution is structured around background "Whereas" clauses and five specific actions in the "Resolved" section:

• Background Context:
• Coptic Christians are an indigenous group in Egypt with over 2,000 years of history, numbering more than 10 million and forming the largest Christian and non-Muslim community in the Middle East.
• They face systemic restrictions on religious freedom, as noted in the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2025 report.
• Issues include institutional and social marginalization, disproportionate arrests on blasphemy charges, abductions and forced conversions of women and girls (with limited government intervention), and unpunished violence, especially in rural areas, fostering a culture of impunity.
• The U.S. plays a key role in protecting religious minorities globally and has interests in regional stability and counter-terrorism.
• Religious freedom and human rights are seen as foundational to democracy and U.S. foreign policy priorities.
• Resolved Actions:
• Acknowledge the vital U.S.-Egypt partnership for shared interests.
• Appreciate Egypt's efforts in fighting terrorism and extremism.
• Stress the need to bolster human rights protections and the rule of law in Egypt.
• Urge Egypt to grant Coptic Christians equal rights as all citizens.
• Call on Egypt to end impunity for attacks on Christians by arresting, prosecuting, and convicting perpetrators, and holding officials accountable for failing to enforce laws.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it does not create new laws or amend existing ones. It serves as a formal statement of congressional concern rather than enforceable legislation, with no direct alterations to U.S. or international law.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of State and foreign affairs committees may use this resolution to guide diplomatic efforts, potentially influencing aid, negotiations, or public statements toward Egypt to prioritize religious freedom.
• On Citizens: Coptic Christians and other religious minorities in Egypt could benefit indirectly from increased international scrutiny, which might pressure Egyptian authorities to improve protections and reduce discrimination.
• On International Relations: It could strain or condition U.S.-Egypt ties by linking cooperation on security issues (like counter-terrorism) to human rights progress, potentially affecting regional stability in the Middle East while reinforcing U.S. global advocacy for religious liberties.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Coptic Christians in Egypt: Primary beneficiaries, as the resolution highlights their persecution and calls for equal treatment and justice.
• Egyptian Government and Officials: Directly urged to reform policies, prosecute crimes, and end impunity, which could lead to internal accountability measures.
• U.S. Government (Congress and Executive Branch): Shapes foreign policy priorities, particularly for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which received the resolution for review.
• Broader Religious Minorities and Human Rights Advocates: Strengthens global focus on similar issues in the Middle East, benefiting advocacy groups and international organizations monitoring religious freedom.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no binding force under U.S. law but can influence executive actions, such as through the International Religious Freedom Act (which empowers the U.S. to address such issues). It aligns with U.S. constitutional values of religious liberty (First Amendment) extended to foreign policy.
• Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's role in foreign affairs under Article I, allowing oversight of executive diplomacy without infringing on the president's treaty powers.
• Political: Signals bipartisan concern (introduced by Representatives from both parties) on human rights, potentially pressuring future U.S. administrations to condition aid to Egypt (which receives significant military support) on reforms. It may elevate religious freedom in U.S.-Egypt dialogues but risks diplomatic tensions if Egypt views it as interference in domestic affairs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-09-30: Submitted in House
• 2025-09-30: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing concerns regarding the urgent and escalating threats facing Coptic Christians. — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (3 pages)