News Release
For Immediate Release: 5.9.25
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Religious Liberty Firm Supports U.S. House Bill Protecting Military Chaplain Religious Liberty Rights
First Liberty Institute has represented several military chaplains who had their religious liberty rights violated.
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Keith Self (R-TX) introduced the Military Chaplain Act of 2025 in the House defining the purpose, role, duties, and professional qualification requirements for military chaplains. The legislation includes statutory protections ensuring that chaplain responsibilities and requirements “must be conducted in a manner consistent with the chaplain’s sincerely held religious beliefs and tenets of their religious endorsing organization.”
Erin Smith, Associate Counsel for First Liberty said, “Chaplains are leaders in our fighting force, responsible for maintaining spiritual readiness. It is imperative that we provide them with the tools and protections necessary to fulfill their duties in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs and the tenets of their religious endorsing body. The Military Chaplains Act of 2025 not only provides these tools but also ensures that chaplains can serve without censorship, undue restrictions, or fear of retribution.”
“The military chaplain’s ability to freely exercise their religious duties is not only a Constitutional right, but it is essential to forming the conscience and character of our warfighters,” said Congressman Self. “As someone who benefited from the counsel of chaplains during my 25 years in the Army, I believe we must ensure they can serve without sacrificing their God-given freedoms. Though we currently have an administration that values the chaplain corps, that may not always be the case. That’s why this legislation to safeguard religious liberty in our armed forces is urgently needed.”
First Liberty Institute has represented several military chaplains who had their religious liberty violated.
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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 John Manning at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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