Contact: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, 866-FRC-NEWS or 866-372-6397

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Family Research Council commended the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approving the nomination of Governor Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) to be the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, a job then-Senator Brownback was pivotal in creating in 1998 to address religious persecution and genocide around the world. 

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"I commend the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for moving Governor Brownback's nomination to the Senate floor.  Now, it's time for the full U.S. Senate to act on Governor Brownback's confirmation, so that Americans can start giving the world's persecuted new hope – first, that they aren't alone, and secondly, that help is on the way. 

"From the very beginning of his administration, President Trump has been intentional about his desire to pick up the torch for religious liberty, first trying to secure it for Americans here at home through executive order and other directives.  But with his nomination of Sam Brownback to Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom, the administration has shown its sincerity on restoring the United States' reputation as a voice for the voiceless.

"Today's committee approval comes on the eve of Vice President Pence's trip to the Middle East, a region of the world where religious liberty has an opportunity to advance with the retreat of ISIS and the rejection of the Muslim Brotherhood.  The sooner Gov. Brownback is confirmed as ambassador, the sooner the U.S. will be able to expand its efforts to help the persecuted and those targeted for genocide," concluded Perkins.

Click here for Tony Perkins' Fox News Opinion column: Christians in the Middle East are suffering. When will aid promised by Team Trump arrive?