House Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart, along with Robert Aderholt and Riley Moore, held a joint briefing with the House Foreign Affairs Committee to examine the ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria. The inquiry follows President Trump’s October 31 directive asking the Appropriations Committee to investigate and report back.
Lawmakers described the attacks as part of a broader pattern by extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. They emphasized the need for stronger U.S. support for religious freedom and noted that the FY26 funding bill includes provisions aimed at protecting vulnerable communities.
Witnesses shared firsthand accounts of mass abductions, church attacks, and the use of blasphemy laws in northern states. There was also discussion of how U.S. assistance could be better targeted to help at-risk groups.
The committee is preparing a report for the President outlining next steps.
Readers can access the committee record through the citation below
Citation: House Appropriations Committee Press Release — Investigation into Religious Persecution in Nigeria