Lynchburg Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Good (R-Va.) has introduced the Joint Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn President Biden’s rescission of a Trump Administration Rule that strengthened the ability of religious organizations to participate as federal contractors. This CRA would undo the Biden Administration’s actions and ensure that organizations which seek contracts with the Federal Government are not discriminated against in award decisions based on their religious affiliation.

“Religious liberty is one of our nation’s founding principles and was enshrined in the First Amendment. It must be protected at all costs from President Biden’s unwarranted assault,” said Congressman Good. “Religious organizations have historically provided services with federal funding and should be able to compete fairly to participate in federal contracting to meet the real needs of those they serve in the U.S. and around the world.”

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“Religious freedom is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution. It’s disturbing that the Biden administration is infringing on this right by limiting opportunities for religious organizations to compete for federal contracts. It is our duty in Congress to uphold the rights of all Americans. I’m proud to support a Congressional Review Act resolution to rebuke President Biden’s unfair treatment of federal contractors who simply wish to exercise their religion freely,” said Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC).

“Religious organizations provide a variety of invaluable services to serve people across the United States and the world. They should be able to hold on to their sincerely held religious beliefs while providing services for department-funded programs. America’s commitment to religious freedom and liberty must not waver. It must be celebrated and encouraged at all levels,” said Paula White-Cain, Chair of the Center for American Values at America First Policy Institute

“The weaponization of government power against Americans and people of faith must come to an end. Rep. Good is once again showing Congress how to effectively target Woke & Weaponized government and secure the rights of Americans,” said Wade Miller, Executive Director, Citizens for Renewing America.

“The Biden administration continues threatening American freedom and individualism by attempting to diminish protections for religious observance and practice. By enabling discrimination against contractor award decisions based on religious practices, a new Department of Labor (DOL) rule would significantly harm religious organizations’ ability to provide services. Congressman Bob Good’s (R-VA) measure disapproving the DOL rule is an important step in protecting religious exemptions for federal contractors,” said Ryan Walker, Vice President of Government Relations, Heritage Action.

“The U.S. Constitution protects the right of all Americans to operate freely according to their religious beliefs. This freedom isn’t abandoned simply because an individual or organization enters into a contract with the federal government. Excluding these faith-based nonprofits jeopardizes the vital services these organizations provide to our most vulnerable citizens. We are disappointed by the Biden administration’s rollback of these critical protections, and we commend Rep. Good for taking a strong stand for religious freedom by introducing this resolution. Faith-based organizations shouldn’t be forced to choose between their religious identity and providing aid to those who need it most,” said Greg Baylor, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom.

“We are grateful to Rep. Good for leading this joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act to ensure religious organizations can continue working with the government to serve the American people without fear of government discrimination or intimidation. Faith-based organizations are crucial to every community; they provide food, shelter, housing, clothing, and other necessities to anyone in need, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Religious organizations should not be denied equal access to grant funds because of their religious nature. This resolution is about protecting the homeless, abused, orphaned, drug-addicted, and otherwise needy Americans across the country that rely on the myriad of faith-based organizations that serve them,” said Mary Beth Waddell, Director of Federal Affairs, Family and Religious Liberty, Family Research Council.

Cosponsors (11): Chairwoman Foxx (NC), Duncan (SC), Norman (SC), Biggs (AZ), Clyde (GA), Mann (KS), Lamborn (CO), Roy (TX), Boebert (CO), Miller (IL), Kiley (CA)

Supporting groups (6): America First Policy Institute, Citizens for Renewing America, Heritage Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America

Background:

• On March 1, 2023, the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs formally rescinded a Trump rule allowing certain exemptions for religious organizations engaging in federal contracts.
• While the Biden Administration’s actions do not strip religious organizations of all protections, the Trump Administration language offers stronger protections for religious organizations from biased claims about discrimination in hiring.
• Federal contractors are currently prohibited from discriminating in employment under federal law.
• Religious organizations are held to federal standards, balanced with the federally-protected ability to make hiring decisions based on sincerely held beliefs, as covered by the First Amendment.

Original source can be found here