Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy is leading an effort to amend the Respect Marriage Act, a law that was passed last summer with bipartisan support to protect same-sex marriage. was not included.
In Tuesday’s letter, seen exclusively by Fox News Digital, Roy and 23 other House Republicans asked leaders of the House Appropriations Committee to include these new protections in next year’s appropriations bill. rice field.
The Marriage Respect Act requires the federal government and states to recognize same-sex marriages in states where same-sex marriage is legal. The law contains language intended to keep people and organizations that do not support same-sex marriage from being subject to reprisal, but Roy said those protections were not sufficient and that these groups were Unless it says you may be in danger of losing them… the law will be strengthened.
Specifically, Roy argues that the federal government “discriminates, wholly or partly, against a person on the basis that he speaks or acts in accordance with his faithfully held religious or moral beliefs.” I would like to add language prohibiting any kind of sexual behavior, and the marriage is, or should be recognized as, the union of one man and one woman.”
Progressives complain about marriage law moving forward: ‘I hate Senate bill’
Congressman Chip Roy. R-Texas. ((Photo credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images))
House Republicans want to define “discriminatory behavior” that includes changing the treatment of federal taxes, withholding federal benefits, and withholding access to federal property and educational institutions. increase.
“Without this language, the federal government would systematically prohibit religious schools, faith-based organizations, and other non-profit organizations from participating in federal programs and strip them of their tax-exempt status. I am afraid that I will start to discriminate against marriage,” the letter read.
“The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is sacred. It guarantees the right to write, pray, think, speak, and tie as one pleases. and must be protected,” he said.
Biden signs same-sex marriage bill despite fears by some progressives
passed after the law was overturned Law vs Wade, which brought the issue of abortion rights back to the states. Democrats then urged the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, fearing that another lawsuit that created federal rights to same-sex marriage could be overturned.
When the law was being considered in the Senate, Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins and Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin proposed amendments intended to add Senate-approved religious liberty protections. I wrote a draft. However, some Republicans and conservative groups said at the time that the amendment was not sufficient to protect those who feared lawsuits and government retaliation for their belief in traditional marriage.
US President Joe Biden applauds after signing the Respect Marriages Act on the South Lawn of the White House on December 13, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Roy said his amendment would “protect the free exercise of rights of millions of Americans and nonprofit organizations from punishment and discrimination by the federal government for their beliefs.” said.
Pelosi Respectfully Rejoices in Marriage Law Victory, Calling It a Tool to Fight ‘Right-Wing Extremists’
“Such organizations care for the poor, mentor young people at risk, feed the hungry, rebuild homes after natural disasters, and serve soldiers and first responders. We will serve, visit people in prison, educate our children and create good, civic-minded citizens for millions of years,” Roy said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Weaponizing the power of the federal government against them is un-American and would do great harm not only to these organizations, but to this republic and the fundamental rights it protects.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) speaks with reporters as he arrives at the House GOP Caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Nov. 14, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The letter was praised by religious and conservative groups such as the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, and Catholic Vote.
“We commend Rep. Roy for responding swiftly to a vile 2022 law that allows the federal government to target people who believe in marriage,” Catholic-voting President Brian Birch told Fox News Digital. Told.
“In every civilization, marriage has always been privileged because it unites father and mother to represent the nation and raise the next generation of citizens. We must not allow activist laws to target
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Other signatories to the letter include Rep. Kat Kamack, R-Fla., Jim Banks, R-Ind., Marjorie Taylor-Green, RC. Lauren Bobert, R Koro.
