Thursday, March 28, 2024
Hawai'i Free Press

Current Articles | Archives

Thursday, September 19, 2013
US House: Bipartisan Marriage and Religious Freedom Act Introduced—60 Cosponsors
By News Release @ 8:52 PM :: 6334 Views :: Family, First Amendment, Religion

Rep. Lipinski Cosponsors Marriage and Religious Freedom Act

News Release from Rep Dan Lipinski (D-IL) 09/19/2013

Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-3) cosponsored and introduced a landmark bipartisan bill today to protect freedom of conscience on the issue of marriage. Sponsored by Raúl Labrador (ID-1), the bill – H.R. 3133, the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act – would prohibit discrimination through the federal tax code against individuals or institutions that exercise religious conscience regarding marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Joining Rep. Lipinski as original cosponsors are Rep. Steve Scalise (LA-1) and Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC-7).

"The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act would help preserve the most basic rights of all Americans: the right to religious liberty and the rights of conscience," Rep. Lipinski said. "The idea that individuals, churches and institutions could be penalized for not endorsing a practice in opposition to their core beliefs goes against the fundamental principles espoused by our founding fathers.  I ask my colleagues in the House to act on this legislation swiftly to discourage the potential discrimination against those who simply choose to exercise their rights as Americans."

Most religious institutions fall within the 501(c) portion of the U.S. tax code, which allows for tax exemption.  Under the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act, no individual or institution which celebrates and defines marriage as between one man and one woman would be denied or lose exemption from taxation provided for under federal law.

“Regardless of your ideology, we can all agree about the importance of religious liberty in America,” said Rep. Labrador.  “Our bill will protect freedom of conscience for those who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman.  This is not a Republican or Democrat issue.  As President Obama said, ‘Americans hold a wide range of views’ on marriage and ‘maintaining our nation’s commitment to religious freedom’ is ‘vital.’ We agree.

“Our bill will ensure tolerance for individuals and organizations that affirm traditional marriage, protecting them from adverse federal action.  I’m proud to be joined by my colleagues in introducing this bill, and will strongly advocate for its passage.”

“I commend Congressman Raul Labrador for bringing forth this bill and leading on this important issue.  As we’ve seen with the IRS scandals, nonprofit organizations and those who support them may be targeted and punished for their beliefs and principles,” said Rep. Scalise.  “Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage may embolden those in government who want to impose their views of marriage on faith-based organizations.  We need this strong legislation to protect freedom of conscience for those who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Raul’s bill does exactly that, ensuring respect and tolerance for those who affirm traditional marriage.”

“It is critical that institutions which hold the fundamental belief that marriage is between one man and one woman be protected in their convictions,” said Rep. McIntyre.  “The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act will ensure that this right is protected, and they are not penalized for their beliefs and values.”

The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act has over 60 original cosponsors.  They include Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO).

The bill has been endorsed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Organization for Marriage, Heritage Action, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Concerned Women for America.

  *   *   *   *   *

LABRADOR LEADS BIPARTISAN COALITION IN INTRODUCING MARRIAGE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT

News Release from Rep Raul Labrador (R-ID)Thursday September 19, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-ID), Rep. Steve Scalise, Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC), and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced a landmark bipartisan bill today to protect freedom of conscience on the issue of marriage.  Their bill – H.R. 3133, the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act – would prohibit discrimination through the federal tax code against individuals or institutions that exercise religious conscience regarding marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

“Regardless of your ideology, we can all agree about the importance of religious liberty in America,” said Rep. Labrador.  “Our bill will protect freedom of conscience for those who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman.  This is not a Republican or Democrat issue.  As President Obama said, ‘Americans hold a wide range of views’ on marriage and ‘maintaining our nation’s commitment to religious freedom’ is ‘vital.’ We agree.

“Our bill will ensure tolerance for individuals and organizations that affirm traditional marriage, protecting them from adverse federal action.  I’m proud to be joined by my colleagues in introducing this bill, and will strongly advocate for its passage.”

Most religious institutions fall within the 501(c) portion of the U.S. tax code, which allows for tax exemption.  Under the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act, no individual or institution which celebrates and defines marriage as between one man and one woman would be denied or lose exemption from taxation provided for under federal law.

“I commend Congressman Raul Labrador for bringing forth this bill and leading on this important issue.  As we’ve seen with the IRS scandals, nonprofit organizations and those who support them may be targeted and punished for their beliefs and principles,” said Chairman Scalise.  “Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage may embolden those in government who want to impose their views of marriage on faith-based organizations.  We need this strong legislation to protect freedom of conscience for those who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Raul’s bill does exactly that, ensuring respect and tolerance for those who affirm traditional marriage.”

“It is critical that institutions which hold the fundamental belief that marriage is between one man and one woman be protected in their convictions,” said Rep. McIntyre.  “The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act will ensure that this right is protected, and they are not penalized for their beliefs and values.”

"The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act would help preserve the most basic rights of all Americans: the right to religious liberty and the rights of conscience," Rep. Lipinski said. "The idea that individuals, churches and institutions could be penalized for not endorsing a practice in opposition to their core beliefs goes against the fundamental principles espoused by our founding fathers.  I ask my colleagues in the House to act on this legislation swiftly to discourage the potential discrimination against those who simply choose to exercise their rights as Americans."

The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act has over 60 original cosponsors.  They include Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO).  A full list of cosponsors is below.

The bill has been endorsed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Organization for Marriage, Heritage Action, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Concerned Women for America.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act would prohibit government discrimination against individuals and institutions that exercise religious or moral conscience regarding marriage as the union of one man and one woman by ensuring that the federal government will not:

  • Deny or revoke an exemption from taxation under Sec. 501 of the IRS Tax Code
  • Disallow a deduction for Federal tax purposes of any charitable contribution made to or by a person
  • Deny or withhold any federal benefit
  • Deny or exclude a person from receiving any federal grant, contract, loan, license, certification, accreditation, employment, or other similar position or status
  • Otherwise discriminate against any individual organization

On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Windsor that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional.  Section 3 required that, for purpose of federal enactments, marriage was defined as the union of one man and one woman. Now, because of the Supreme Court’s decision, federal statutes that refer to a marriage for federal purposes are interpreted as applying equally to same-sex marriages, when they are recognized by the state.  The Supreme Court’s ruling opens the door for potential legal action against churches, organizations, non-profits or even individuals who hold a religious or moral belief that marriage is defined as a union between one man and one woman.

LINK: LIST OF COSPONSORS (AS OF 9/19/13)

News Release: Mike McIntyre (D-NC) Joins Bi-Partisan Coalition in Introducing Marriage and Religious Freedom Act

WaPo: New bipartisan bill protects groups that don’t support same-sex marriage  A "narrowly-tailored piece of legislation" that would protect groups "from discrimination by the federal government."

WT: Bill aims to shield religious freedoms from taxman

Heritage: Protecting Religious Liberty in the Marriage Debate

NOM: National Organization for Marriage (NOM) endorses the “Marriage and Religious Freedom Act.”

Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

808 Silent Majority

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federalist Society

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Homeschool Association

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Smokers Alliance

Hawaii State Data Lab

Hawaii Together

HIEC.Coop

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Moms for Liberty

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

Investigative Project on Terrorism

July 4 in Hawaii

Kakaako Cares

Keep Hawaii's Heroes

Land and Power in Hawaii

Legislative Committee Analysis Tool

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Military Home Educators' Network Oahu

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Christian Foundation Hawaii

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

No GMO Means No Aloha

Not Dead Yet, Hawaii

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Oahu Alternative Transport

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

OurFutureHawaii.com

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

PEACE Hawaii

People vs Machine

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

P.U.E.O.

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

ReRoute the Rail

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

Robotics Organizing Committee

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Sink the Jones Act

Statehood for Guam

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

UCC Truths

US Tax Foundation Hawaii Info

VAREP Honolulu

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii

Yes2TMT