While both religious and non-religious groups have signaled approval for the 2016 amendment,[1] it has received particular attention for specifically protecting nontheists and those who claim no religion at all.

The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 was first introduced on March 26, 1998 as S.1868 by Senator Don Nickles (R-OK), who was Majority Whip at the time.

IRFA provided a far-reaching policy alternative to a previous bill, the Freedom from Religious Persecution Act, which Frank Wolf and Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced on May 27, 1997 as H.R.

[5] On October 10, 1998, the House then passed IRFA in its entirety as a substitute amendment to H.R.2431, including the title of "International Religious Freedom Act."

The amended act institutes a "designated persons list" for individuals who violate religious freedom and authorizes the president to issue sanctions against those who participate in persecution.