The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) is a U.S. law that establishes religious freedom as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. Signed into law by President Bill Clinton on October 27, 1998 (Public Law 105-292), it authorizes efforts to encourage respect for religious freedom in countries that tolerate or perpetrate violations and to advocate for individuals imprisoned or otherwise persecuted for their religious beliefs or activities. The Act created three principal institutional mechanisms: (1) an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom in the Department of State, serving as the principal advisor to the President and Secretary of State, responsible for the annual International Religious Freedom Report, designating Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs), and negotiating with foreign governments; (2) a bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to monitor facts and developments and make policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress; and (3) a Special Advisor to the President on International Religious Freedom on the National Security Council.