One of the issues that the Supreme Court will decide in next few years is whether religion can be used to undermine civil rights protections, especially those that protect LGBTQ people and women. What do we know about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s record on this issue? When he worked for President George W. Bush, he volunteered to be the point person on the “faith-based initiative”—a key component of which was allowing taxpayer-funded organizations that provide social services to use religion to justify employment discrimination.
South Carolina Seeks A Right To Use Religion To Discriminate
One Of More Than 200,000 Stories Explaining Why The Trump Administration Must Put Patients First
A Federal Agency Is Hiding Public Comments About Its Policies Concerning Faith-Based Organizations. AU Would Like To Know Why.
The Trump Administration Is Seeking Advice On How To Use Religion To Discriminate
With New Birth Control Rule, Trump Administration Ramps Up Attack On Women’s Healthcare
Michigan Law Allowing State-Contracted Foster Care Organizations To Use Religion As Excuse To Turn Away Families Challenged In Court
The Trump Administration Had A Busy Week of Cozying Up To Religious Right Leaders
In today's Wall of Separation blog post, Americans United Legislative Assistant Director Dena Sher outlined the steps the Trump administration and its allies took against church-state separation last week, including US Attorney General Jeff Sessions' speech to Alliance Defending Freedom.
Trump Administration’s Attack On Women’s Health And Equality Escalates
Senators See Danger In Trump’s "Religious Freedom" Executive Order
Equality Act: Equality The Right Way
US Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and US Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) today introduced the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination. It builds on our nation’s tradition of expanding civil-rights protections to ensure that more of our neighbors are protected from discrimination based on who they are.
The Price Is Wrong: HHS Secretary Nominee’s Views On Religious Freedom Are Dangerous
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions wrapped up its hearing on Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of education at 8:45 last night, and will be back at 10 this morning to hold another confirmation hearing. Up today: Trump’s pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA).
Americans United Joins The Fight In Court Against Mississippi's "Religious Freedom" Law
On Friday, we joined an amicus brief opposing HB 1523 because it uses religion as an excuse to sanction discrimination. Religious freedom is a fundamental American value— it guarantees us the freedom to believe or not as we see fit. What it does not do, though, is grant anyone a right to harm others.
Federal First Amendment Defense Act Poised To Make A Comeback In 2017
This week, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) announced that next year he plans to reintroduce the so-called First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), a bill that would allow individuals and corporations to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against, well, almost everyone.
Congress Rejected Russell: Let’s Celebrate, But There Are More Fights Ahead
Sen. McCain Opposed Arizona “Religious Freedom” Bill In 2014 And Now Should Reject A Similar Provision In Defense Bill
#RejectRussell: 42 Senators Reject Dangerous Provision to Sanction Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination
Today, 42 senators, led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), took a strong public stand against taxpayer-funded employment discrimination. They joined a letter urging that a dangerous provision, which was snuck into a version of the national defense bill in the dead of the night, be stripped out before the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) becomes law.
At the Intersection of Transgender Advocacy and Religious Freedom
FRC’s FADA Fade Away
Governor Mike Pence and the RFRA Debacle
After Gov. Pence signed SB 101 into law, businesses and prominent Hoosiers took a stand against it: the NCAA, CEOs, NASCAR, law professors, healthcare providers, musicians, authors, performers, athletes, conventions, and entire states announced criticism and even boycotts of the state.