COMMITTEE CONSIDERS LABRADOR BILL TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing today on H.R. 2802, the First Amendment Defense Act, a bill authored by Congressman Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho. The First Amendment Defense Act is an important step forward in the protection of religious beliefs and moral convictions regarding marriage.

"I applaud the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for holding a hearing on this important legislation and look forward to working with Chairman Chaffetz on moving the bill through a successful mark-up," Labrador said. "For our Founding Fathers, religious freedom was not an afterthought. When listing those rights most fundamental to a free and fulfilled people, they placed freedom of religion prominently before the rest."

The First Amendment Defense Act unambiguously reaffirms the letter and spirit of the First Amendment by ensuring that the federal government does not discriminate against any person or organization based on their belief regarding marriage.

"Freedom of religion is not only the right to worship in private but is also the right to publicly exercise our religion without fear of government interference," Labrador said. "Critics of the First Amendment Defense Act intend to force religious views out of the public square. They are even willing to mislead the American people about what this bill does to accomplish their agenda."

The bill does not preempt, negate or alter any anti-discrimination measures or civil-rights laws, state or federal. The First Amendment Defense Act simply prevents the federal government from denying a tax exemption, grant, contract, license, or certification to an individual, association, or business based on their religious belief or moral conviction in marriage - traditional marriage or same-sex marriage. This bill does not take anything away from any individual or group.

"While Americans are free to structure their personal relationships as law permits, the federal government should not threaten or target individuals and organizations who hold traditional religious views," Labrador said. "My bill is designed to protect the First Amendment's guarantee of the free exercise of religion, a principle central to our nation's success."

The First Amendment Defense Act was first introduced in 2013 as the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act. The bill currently has 171 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, has introduced S. 1598, a companion bill in the U.S. Senate. The Senate bill has 37 cosponsors.

The revised language can be found here.

Congressman Labrador's testimony can be viewed here.