Via email, a State Department spokesperson said Mr. Blinken considers “USCIRF’s recommendations and all other available information,” which includes the department’s own annual Religious Freedom Report.” Mr. Blinken also weighs “the assessments of civil society, religious organizations, and domestic and international human rights groups in his decisions," the department said.
State Dept. religious freedom list draws call for congressional probe over India, Nigeria omissions
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the department said that attracting experienced and competent staff to fill the new posts will be difficult without offering incentives to prospective employees, suggesting that Congress may need to allocate more money if the U.S. is to remain competitive with China in the region.
U.S. eyes massive ramp-up in diplomatic personnel and spending at new Pacific island embassies
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