Religious Freedom Peace fact sheet

I am proud to have introduced the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act of 2013 (H.R. 2483). This bill provides a way for Americans who oppose war to pay their taxes with a clean conscience.  It protects both freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

The First Amendment says that Americans are free to practice their religious beliefs and that Congress cannot infringe on those beliefs. Since 1940, the federal government has allowed Americans who oppose war to declare themselves conscientious objectors in the event of a military draft. This means that people opposed to war for religious or moral reasons may choose alternatives to military service.

Unfortunately, they have no such choice when paying their taxes. My bill allows citizens who oppose war to declare themselves conscientious objectors for tax reasons. They would follow the same rules in place during a draft. Their tax money would then go into a special fund in the Treasury that could pay for any federal spending EXCEPT the military. This way, patriotic Americans do not have to compromise their beliefs in order to fulfill their tax obligations.

I have always stood for nonviolence, which is why I am sponsoring this important bill. No one should ever have to go to war – or pay for war – when his or her beliefs forbid it. Together, we can make sure the principles set by First Amendment are followed. Please help me pass the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act of 2013.