[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5871-H5872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PROTECTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DURING PANDEMIC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to address a 
pressing problem that concerns Americans' constitutional rights. The 
liberties enshrined in the Constitution still apply to every American, 
even in the midst of a national emergency.
  It is becoming clear to many Americans that our national life has 
slid toward a double standard. For weeks, officials have asked the 
public to put life on hold and help fight this virus. The American 
people did their part and are doing their part, have made sacrifices to 
help our Nation, and continue to do their part.
  But throughout this pandemic, we have seen a troubling trend of State 
leaders leaning on religious institutions harder than any other group 
or organization.
  In 2018, Pope Francis, while addressing ``red martyrdom,'' those who 
face death and persecution on account of their religious beliefs, also 
warned our nations about ``white martyrdom,'' which occurs in 
democratic countries when freedom of religion is restricted.
  So far, lawsuits claiming that State restrictions on religious 
gatherings infringe on freedom of religion have been filed in Kentucky, 
California, Louisiana, Virginia, and elsewhere.
  In Virginia, at Lighthouse Fellowship Church's Palm Sunday service, 
there were only 16 people present, all properly socially distanced. 
Yet, the pastor was subjected, Mr. Speaker, to a criminal citation.
  In Kansas, two churches settled with Democratic Governor Laura Kelly 
after they sued over her 10-person limit for religious services. A 
Federal judge ruled that the State appeared to have singled out 
religious activities for stricter treatment. Now, Kansas churches can 
hold those services as long as they abide by the protocols for 
businesses and other establishments, such as providing hand sanitizer, 
face masks, and social distancing.
  In Kentucky, despite claiming that his order allowed congregants to 
attend drive-through services, Governor Andy Beshear had State police 
leave notices to self-isolate on churchgoers' windshields on Easter 
Sunday service at the Maryville Baptist Church outside of Louisville.
  In defiance of the Governor's mandate, Pastor Jack Roberts, along 
with congregants, ripped up those notices and filed a lawsuit.

  Mr. Speaker, a Federal appeals court sided with the pastor and 
blocked part of Beshear's order, allowing congregants to attend drive-
in services. In the ruling, the three-judge panel of the Sixth U.S. 
Circuit Court of Appeals expressed support for the church's argument 
that it wasn't being treated fairly, noting ``hundreds'' of cars parked 
in the lot of the nearby grocery store on the same day the police 
informed churchgoers that they were violating the law.
  ``The breadth of the ban on religious services, together with a haven 
for numerous secular exceptions, should give pause to anyone who prizes 
religious freedom.'' That is what the judges wrote.
  They continued, ``But it is not always easy to decide what is 
Caesar's and what is God's, and that is assuredly true in the context 
of a pandemic.''
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the judges for standing up for the fundamental 
right of religious freedom, including the freedom of worship.
  Americans have shown that they can convene for religious services in 
a responsible way. The compassion and care for communities of faith 
throughout the pandemic are needed now more than ever.
  Our first Chief Executive, President Washington, prized our First 
Amendment to the Constitution, saying, ``No one would be more zealous 
than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of 
spiritual tyranny and every species of religious persecution.''
  Let's urge our colleagues in Congress, our State legislatures, our 
Governors, and down at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to honor Washington's 
passion for our enshrined right to religious liberty.


                   Calling for Targeted COVID Relief

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, during this lame duck session, 
this House needs bipartisan leadership to achieve critical, needed 
COVID relief for central Arkansans.
  The majority of these issues are easy and have significant bipartisan 
support.
  We need to extend and expand the Paycheck Protection Program and ease 
paycheck protection forgiveness.
  Pandemic unemployment payments need to be addressed in a way to help 
families but also encourage work.
  Finally, States need flexibility on spending money from the CARES 
Act,

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and they need to change the deadline from the end of this year, 12/31, 
to a time in 2021.
  We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
  We call on Speaker Pelosi to call targeted, focused relief to the 
House floor today.

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