NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      WASHINGTON (CWNews.com) -- A new legislative measure designed to combat religious persecution was shelved by a US Senate committee yesterday, after Republican members found themselves unable to agree on a compromise bill.

      The Freedom from Religious Persecution Bill, which would curb US subsidies to governments that engage in religious persecution, was pulled off the agenda of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when sponsors realized that they could not gain majority approval. The bill is not likely to be considered again this year.

      Although the bill had been passed by an overwhelming majority (375-41) on the floor of the House of Representatives, opponents argued that it might interfere with foreign commerce, and alienate some of America's strategic allies. Those arguments were enough to cause a split in the Republican ranks, eroding support for the bill.