Bill Would Ban Gov't Discrimination Based on Religious Views of Marriage

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com / trekandshoot

Bills have been introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress that would prohibit the Federal government from discriminating against individuals, associations, and businesses that act in accordance with their religious beliefs about marriage.

Yesterday, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-ID) introduced the First AmendmentThis Amendment prohibits the government from making laws that establish religion or prohibit free exercise of religion, infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, limit the right to assemble peaceably, or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Defense Act, S. 1598 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1598) and H.R. 2802 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2802), which would prohibit any federal agency from denying a tax exemption, grant, contractAn agreement between two or more people that creates an obligation to do or not to do a particular thing., license, or certification to any individual, association, or business that acts in accordance with their religious beliefs about marriage.

Sen. Mike Lee

Under the bill, the IRS would be prohibited from removing tax exemptions from schools that refuse to hire teachers based on their marital status, churches that refuse to solemnize same-sex marriages, or bakers who refuse wedding-related services to same-sex couples. It is noted that the proposed legislation does not single out religious institutions, and that it addresses the religious beliefs of businesses which are provided First Amendment Rights according to the 2014 Supreme Court decision in Hobby Lobby.

Rep. Raúl Labrador

According to bill sponsor Senator Lee, "You don't need to subscribe to any particular faith, or hold any particular beliefs about marriage, to see the danger of a government forcing innocent people to violate their conscience when they are just trying to make a living, serve their community or educate the next generation."

Critics of the proposed legislation argue that religious beliefs are already protected by the First Amendment and that this bill simply provides a legal basis for businesses to discriminate. , S. 1598 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1598) and H.R. 2802 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2802),

There are currently 18 co-sponsors in the Senate and 57 co-sponsors in the House. Similar bills introduced in the 113th Congress failed. The current, 114th Congress, bills were introduced just days before the U.S. Supreme Court is anticipated to issue1. The disputed point between parties in a lawsuit; 2. To send out officially, as in a court issuing an order. its ruling in a major same-sex marriage case, Obergefell v. Hodges.

You can track the 114th Congress bills here:

S. 1598 – https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1598

H.R. 2802 –  https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2802