News Release
For Immediate Release: 11.19.21
Contact: Lacey McNiel, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Religious Liberty Group Condemns Biden Administration Policy Change Threatening Faith Based Child Services
In June, the United States Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that faith-based child placement agencies cannot be penalized for their religious beliefs
Washington, DC—First Liberty Institute today condemned the Biden administration’s decision to rescind clear religious-freedom protections granted to child welfare agencies. The following statement can be attributed to Justin Butterfield, Deputy General Counsel of First Liberty Institute and former Senior Advisor for Conscience and Religious Freedom at HHS:
“Allowing a religious organization to be religious is central to the First Amendment. In the past, HHS trampled the rights of religious organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor by forcing them to violate their religious convictions. To prevent HHS from continuing to disregard Americans’ religious convictions, the Office for Civil Rights was tasked with ensuring that HHS respects religious liberty rights as enshrined in the Constitution and in the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. What President Biden is doing now is just another step in dismantling safeguards within the federal government for people of faith. Playing politics with religious organizations who exist to help the needy may score political points with his progressive base, but President Biden cannot mask his administration’s hostility toward religion in doing so.”
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Lacey McNiel at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.