[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H3975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                           RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, it is undeniable that religious freedom is 
America's keystone. This great country was founded by men and women who 
fled religious persecution and sought to govern themselves according to 
their religious beliefs.
  Despite religious freedom having been woven into our constitutional 
system for well over two centuries, and the precedents it has 
established, Democrats are choosing to play judge, jury, and 
executioner in its trial.
  Today, religious organizations are under attack by the woke agenda of 
Democrats. Those on the left claim that faith-based organizations must 
abandon their conscience and amend their employment practices, or they 
should not have access to Federal contracts or funds.
  It is a damning ultimatum. Imagine how many faith-based organizations 
would be forced to close their doors because of this.
  Madam Speaker, this coordinated campaign is being carried out by the 
left, and it is guided by the assumption that a radical, progressive 
dogma is more legitimate than religious beliefs. That assumption is 
pure insanity.
  In this country, faith is not subjugated or left at the door. It is 
carried with us no matter where we may go.
  I applaud every man and woman who is standing up to this egregious 
assault from the left and is fighting for the right to live by 
religious convictions at work and in business.
  President Biden's so-called Build Back Better framework is riddled 
with discriminatory provisions. One clause would have required faith-
based childcare providers to abandon their faith during program hours 
if they wanted to participate in the Federal program.
  And in the Community Services Block Grant program, the Democrats want 
to strip a provision that protects faith-based providers' right to 
remain strong in their faith as they serve individuals in need.
  This protection has been in place without controversy or harm to any 
individual seeking assistance for decades. Why change it now? I think 
we know.
  This isn't just religious persecution; it is textbook coercion. 
Unfortunately, there is more.
  Democrats have also sought to remove protections for religious 
nonprofit organizations and Federal contractors. Like their secular 
counterparts, faith-based charities in the United States simply want to 
serve the less fortunate, but discriminatory legislation could keep 
them from being able to do that.
  Faith-based charities and religious Federal contractors alike deserve 
the chance to practice their religion freely without government 
interference.
  It appears Democrats need a refresher on the First Amendment.
  The government does not bestow the freedom of religion upon us; it is 
a freedom we have possessed since birth.
  Whenever we see protections for religious freedom being chipped away 
in this country, it is our solemn duty as Americans and people of faith 
to take a stand.

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