WASHINGTON -- The Senate adopted an amendment to pending trade legislation that requires negotiators to consider religious freedom for people living in nations seeking free trade deals with the United States.

The measures, sponsored by Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, passed 92-0 on Monday night (May 18).

The measure wouldn't block trade deals with any nation over the religious freedom issue, but puts the issue in front of U.S. officials now negotiating a free trade deal with 11 Pacific nations, according to the two freshman senators.

'Exports stamped 'Made in America' are more than products, they're American values -- one of those values is religious freedom," Cassidy said. "If a country is persecuting their citizens for their religious beliefs, U.S. relations with that country should be questioned."

In its 2015 annual report, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said that in Vietnam there are at least 100-200 prisoners of conscience are detained for religious activity or advocacy of religious freedom. Vietnam is one of 11 nations currently negotiating a Pacific free trade agreement with the United States.

"I have been told over and over again that we don't talk about religious freedom in our trade negotiations," Lankford said. "I have just asked, why not? We should encourage trade with another country when that country acknowledges our basic value of the dignity of every person to live their own faith. Our Nation is not just an economy; our Nation is a set of ideas and values."

Cassidy voted for his amendment. Sen. David Vitter, R-La, missed the vote.