Condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and standing ready to support President Donald J. Trump in taking decisive action to end the existential threat that persecuted Christians face in Nigeria.

119th Congress Introduced by Robert Aderholt and 29 co-sponsors

HRES 866 condemns the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, urging U.S. action to protect them and support humanitarian efforts against extremist violence.

Submitted in House

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HRES 866

Title: Condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and standing ready to support President Donald J. Trump in taking decisive action to end the existential threat that persecuted Christians face in Nigeria.

Status: Submitted in House

Introduced: November 07, 2025

Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

HRES 866 aims to address the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, particularly by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as Fulani militant groups. The resolution expresses condemnation of these acts of violence and highlights the Nigerian Government's inaction in protecting its Christian population. It also seeks to rally support for potential actions by the U.S. government to alleviate the situation.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes several significant provisions:

Condemnation of Persecution:

It condemns the targeted killings and persecution of Christians in Nigeria and criticizes the Nigerian Government for failing to protect these communities.

Support for Presidential Action:

The resolution expresses readiness to support President Donald J. Trump in taking decisive measures to address the threats faced by persecuted Christians in Nigeria.

Call for U.S. Government Action:

It urges the U.S. Government to employ diplomatic, economic, and security measures to:
- End impunity for those committing religiously motivated violence.
- Protect Christian communities and clergy from attacks.
- Facilitate the return of internally displaced persons, particularly from Christian communities.
- Repeal blasphemy laws and release individuals imprisoned for their faith.

International Coordination:

The resolution encourages collaboration with international partners to provide humanitarian aid directly to victims through trusted non-governmental and faith-based organizations.

Affirmation of Solidarity:

It reaffirms the commitment of the United States to support Christians in Nigeria and uphold their right to practice their faith without fear of persecution.

Impact

The resolution is intended to raise awareness about the plight of Christians in Nigeria and signal to both the U.S. government and international community the need for action. If adopted, it could influence U.S. foreign policy towards Nigeria, potentially leading to increased diplomatic pressure and humanitarian assistance aimed at protecting vulnerable populations.

Legislative Actions

November 07, 2025: The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and submitted in the House for consideration.

This resolution reflects a significant stance by the U.S. House of Representatives regarding religious freedom and the protection of minority communities facing persecution globally.

Bill