Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) is introducing legislation to prevent U.S. munitions from being sold to international security partners for use against civilian Christian targets.
Named the Civilians Resisting Unlawful Strikes Against Divine Establishments (CRUSADE) Act, Rep. Luna's bill enhances the President's authority to restrict sending American munitions to countries involved in the persecution of Christians and churches or properties.
According to Open Doors, which aids persecuted Christians worldwide, one in seven Christians is persecuted worldwide. One in five Christians in Africa is at risk, which rises to two in five Christians in Asia.
Rep. Luna also noted that several countries on the list of 50 worst persecutors in Open Doors receive "significant" security assistance from the United States.
U.S. News provided a list of the countries that received the most American aid in 2023, and cross-referencing with Open Doors' data shows that Somalia, Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Colombia, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Yemen, and Syria are among the top 50 persecutors of Christians worldwide and also some of the biggest receivers of U.S. aid.
In mid-February, 70 Christians in the DRC were horrifically murdered in a church outside the small town of Mayba by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group with ties to the Islamic State (ISIS).
"The global persecution of Christians is rising rapidly," said the Florida Congresswoman in her press release, adding, "My legislation will make sure that the President is actively involved in ensuring that our munitions are not being used by U.S. security partners to target Christian civilians, churches, or monuments. American tax dollars should not be used to undermine our founding principles."
Florida Republicans have previously spoken about the global persecution of Christians, specifically in Nicaragua. Last February, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) urged the imposition of sanctions on the Central American state run by Daniel Ortega.
"This administration must stand strong against the thugs who are oppressing the people of Nicaragua, as well as Venezuela and Cuba," said Sen. Scott, adding, "and we must stand with the Nicaraguan people and pressure the Ortega-Murillo regime until religious freedom and human rights is restored, democracy upheld and the release of all political prisoners is secured."
