United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom explained

Post:Ambassador at Large
Body:the United States for International Religious Freedom
Insignia:US Department of State official seal.svg
Insigniasize:120
Insigniacaption:Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent:Rashad Hussain
Incumbentsince:January 24, 2022
Appointer:The President
Inaugural:Robert A. Seiple
Formation:1999
Website:Office of International Religious Freedom

The United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom is the ambassador-at-large who heads the Office of International Religious Freedom in the U.S. Department of State.

The position was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The first ambassador at large was Bob Seiple[1] who served from 1999 to 2001. He was succeeded by John Hanford[2] who served from May 2002 until January 2009. Suzan Johnson Cook served in the role from May 2011 to October 2013.[3] On July 28, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Rabbi David Saperstein for the position. On December 15, 2014, the Senate confirmed him to the office, making him the first non-Christian to hold this post.[4] [5] [6]

On July 26, 2017, the White House announced the nomination of Sam Brownback, then-Governor of Kansas to fill the vacancy in the office.[7] Five months later, the Senate had yet to hold a confirmation vote, so per Senate rules, he was required to be nominated again in 2018 in order for a vote to be held.[8] He was confirmed to the position on January 24, 2018, on a 49–49 vote of the Senate, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking the tie in favor of Brownback.[9]

Ambassadors-at-large

ImageNameAppointmentLeft office
1Robert A. Seiple19992001
2John Hanford20022009
3Suzan Johnson Cook20112013
4David Saperstein20152017
5Sam Brownback20182021
6Rashad Hussain[10] 2022incumbent

Notes and References

  1. https://1997-2001.state.gov/www/about_state/biography/seiple.html U.S. Department of State. "Biography Robert A Seiple." September 11, 2009.
  2. https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/113758.htm U.S. Department of State. "Biography John V. Hanford III." September 11, 2009.
  3. Web site: Religious liberty ambassador's resignation raises concerns . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140402070646/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/religious-liberty-ambassadors-resignation-raises-concerns/. April 2, 2014. mdy-all.
  4. Dias, Elizabeth. "Obama Nominates Rabbi to Religious Freedom Post", Time, July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  5. Campbell, Kay. "Rabbi David Saperstein confirmed as U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom", AL.com, December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  6. http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-senate-approves-rabbi-as-freedom-of-faith-envoy/ "US Senate approves rabbi as freedom of faith envoy"
  7. 890359611429183488. BREAKING: White House: Trump to nominate Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback as ambassador at large for international religious freedom.. July 26, 2017. AP. July 27, 2017 . Associated Press.
  8. http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2017/dec/22/brownbacks-nomination-set-return-white-house/ Brownback’s nomination for ambassador post not carried over, will return to White House
  9. Web site: U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 2nd Session. www.senate.gov. 2018-01-24.
  10. Web site: The White House. July 30, 2021. President Biden Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Leaders to Serve in Key Religious Affairs Roles. July 31, 2021. The White House.