Newsletter: Protecting a Fundamental Right: Religious Liberty

Statement

Dear Friends,

This week, I joined Sen. Mike Lee of Utah in reintroducing legislation to bolster religious liberty. Our First Amendment Defense Act safeguards individuals and institutions who promote traditional marriage.

The U.S. Supreme Court is soon to decide whether the Constitution forbids the states from retaining the traditional definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

I hope the Court affirms the right of the people in each state to choose -- through their elected representatives -- the laws that govern them. But whatever the Court decides, our bill is necessary to clarify and strengthen federal law.

The First Amendment Defense Act would prevent any federal agency from denying a tax exemption, grant, contract, license, or certification to an individual, association, or business based on their belief that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. For example, the bill would prohibit the IRS from stripping a church of its tax exemption for refusing to officiate same-sex weddings.

Our bill ensures that the federal government does not penalize Americans for following their religious beliefs or moral convictions on traditional marriage. Our bill shields against federal intrusion without taking anything away from anyone. In a shifting landscape, it's time that Congress proactively defend this sacred right.

My House bill, H.R. 2802, has 57 cosponsors. Sen. Lee's S. 1598 has 18 cosponsors, including Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch. We introduced similar bills in the last Congress, then titled the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act.

Our sustained effort springs from a fundamental element of American liberty, the freedom to live and act in the public square according to one's religious beliefs.

America set the standard for upholding freedom of belief and worship in a diverse society. No American should ever doubt the protections in the First Amendment.

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