Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act on Apr. 23. The bipartisan and bicameral legislation aims to expose and punish Russia’s systematic persecution of religious communities in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territories.
The proposed act requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to jointly report on violations against faith communities in these regions. It also directs the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals involved in such abuses.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine is not only an assault on sovereignty—it is a calculated, systemic assault on religious freedom. For Americans, the freedom to worship is among our most fundamental liberties, and we do not stand by when it is crushed by force. This legislation ensures these crimes are documented, perpetrators are identified, and real consequences follow. Peace through strength requires accountability, and the persecution of people of faith cannot be met with silence,” said Fitzpatrick.
Other supporters include Representatives Joe Wilson, Marcy Kaptur, Don Bacon, Mike Quigley, Steve Cohen as well as Senators John Kennedy and Sheldon Whitehouse who introduced companion legislation in the Senate. Wilson said: “Russia targets and kills persons of faith as a matter of policy wherever it invades… Believers in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are targeted with particular ferocity. It is critical that we counter Russia’s War on Faith.”
Cohen stated: “Putin is a war criminal conducting genocide in Ukraine… This legislation makes plain that these human rights violations will be a focus of our foreign policy and that the United States will always defend religious liberty.” Kaptur added that more than 600 places of worship have been destroyed during this conflict.
According to public records Brian Fitzpatrick has served as U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 after replacing Mike Fitzpatrick.He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 at age 49 he lives in Levittown.Fitzpatrick graduated from La Salle University with a BS degree before earning his JD from Pennsylvania State University (Carlisle) also in 2001.
Senator Kennedy said: “Religious liberty is not a suggestion in America – it’s one of our founding promises protected by the Constitution…” Senator Whitehouse added: “It’s time for the U.S. to take a stand for religious freedom…”
Fitzpatrick has been known for his advocacy for Ukrainian issues both legislatively—such as his Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act—and through visits near front lines supporting Ukrainian sovereignty.
