President Obama would like nothing better than to shake himself of that pesky institution known as the U.S. Congress. And for six years, he’s done an admirable job – shirking their authority on everything from health care to immigration. But when a matter of national security – or, in this case, national survival – hangs in the balance, conservatives refuse to sit on their hands and watch the White House negotiate away America’s future with Iran.

To the Left’s outrage, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a member of the Armed Services Committee and veteran, is demanding some accountability from the President in his talks with one of the world’s largest state sponsors of terrorism. In a letter with 46 other GOP senators, Sen. Cotton fired off a rare letter to Iranian leaders explaining that the Senate will have to approve any deal the President strikes with their country.

The international community and congressional Democrats let out a collective gasp at the idea, suggesting that these senators were out of line for elbowing their way into the conversation. But, as Sen. Cotton is quite comfortable explaining, “the critical role of Congress in the adoption of international agreements was clearly laid out by our Founding Fathers in our Constitution.” And while Iranian leaders may not understand that, the President should.

To his critics, Cotton had this to say: “I do not take my obligations as a senator lightly. Nor do those who are signatories to the letter. If the President won’t share our role in the process with his negotiating partner, we won’t hesitate to do it ourselves.” Under the current deal, President Obama seems prepared to make the concessions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against – including letting Iran keep its “uranium enrichment capabilities,” putting it one step closer to a nuclear weapon. Apparently, the U.N. is supposed to take word of President Rouhani that his nation won’t use that program for evil – which as anyone who follows Iran knows, is a huge risk.

The other reality is that this White House is on the brink of a deal that relaxes the sanctions on Rouhani while the Iranians are holding an America citizen prisoner. While President Obama has managed to work in a reference to Pastor Saeed Abedini in a speech or two, he should make clear the United States will not engage in further negotiations until this innocent American is free.

Religious Liberty Gets a Witness

If the President won’t talk about religious persecution, Congress will. [Wednesday], at a Senate subcommittee hearing, members turned the floodlights on the dark world of religious hostility – an international crisis this administration continues to ignore. Chaired by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the Committee is racing to fill the diplomatic gap left by this White House as the world literally explodes in violence toward men and women of faith.

While ISIS litters the Middle East with the bodies of Christians, Yazidis, and others, and Boko Haram continues its rampage of terror, America’s voice is virtually silent. And that silence is not only devastating to the victims – but to the debate at large. In the absence of strong leadership, our enemies only gain more power to destroy this fundamental right.

After ISIS recently attacked Assyrian Christian villages on the Khabour River and destroyed their homes and churches, a pastor reported that the main question families struggle with is: “Shall we wait to be killed or shall we leave the country?” He said people wonder, “(w)here are the Western countries, churches, organizations and the politicians? Where are their voices and acts?” The pastor went on, “(I)t was very hard for me to have answers or solutions, except trying to help by praying and telling the people to continue to be faithful and to wait for God’s direction for their families.”

America is bound – not only by conscience – but by law to uphold this fundamental human right for men and women around the world. The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 could not be more clear that “(i)t shall be the policy of the United States … (t)o condemn violations of religious freedom, and to promote, and to assist other governments in the promotion of, the fundamental right to freedom of religion.”

Not only is religious freedom a fundamental, inherent, and international human right, but, as I explained [yesterday], it’s also good foreign policy. Religious freedom promotes economic growth, and suppressing it stifles economic growth around the world. In turn, the lack of economic growth fosters instability and a lack of security.

One recent study found a positive relationship between religious freedom and ten of the twelve pillars of global competitiveness measured by the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index. Religious freedom is important for peace and security, which in turn promotes economic growth and prosperity. It all boils down to this: there is no downside to protecting religious liberty – both here and abroad. That’s why it’s important for this new Congress to make the issue a number one priority moving forward.

“Our moral voice and supporting actions have been increasingly and noticeably absent with regard to international religious freedom,” I told the Committee. “Our silence only encourages those who work actively to diminish or even destroy this fundamental human right. America has both a legal and moral obligation to speak and act on behalf of religious freedom. We must once again find our voice to speak and our courage to act.” To read my full testimony, click here.

Riggle Won’t Wiggle on Truth

Pastors in Houston aren’t backing down! That was the resounding message I received from them at our Stand Summit [Tuesday] and [Wednesday] with several of the Houston Five in attendance and challenging pastors from as far away as California and North Carolina. Hosted by Steve Riggle, Founding Pastor of Grace Community Church (and the location of last November’s I Stand Sunday), we heard compelling messages from David and Jason Benham, Rafael Cruz, Rick Santorum, and FRC’s own Craig James.

Dr. Rick Scarborough of Vision America, one of our partners, warned that we are fast approaching a “Bonhoeffer moment” when there is no one left to stand for us, so we need to stand together. Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran spoke of his humble beginnings, his success through Christian values, and how he lost his job because of his biblical faith. He explained how we need to go on the offense and spread the flame of freedom from the church to the community – and on to the nation.

Pastor Hernan Castano, another of the Houston Five, declared: “As a Houston pastor that suffered persecution from the Houston mayor, we clearly need strong religious freedom protection in our state so these violations do not continue to occur.” Jonathan Saenz of Texas Values offered clear action steps and helps for how pastors and churches could support a Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

We stand with the efforts of Texas Values and Senator Campbell to ensure that the government leaves people free to live and work according to their religious beliefs. Everyone’s freedom is at risk when the government is empowered to interfere in private affairs and more easily burden religious belief. If you live in Texas or have friends and family there, please encourage everyone to call and urge their support for this legislation (SJR 10).

This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Mr. Perkins is president of FRC.