We, the undersigned, representing hundreds of thousands of Americans, want to thank you for your commitment to securing religious freedom protections in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision redefining marriage across the country. We, therefore, ask that, this fall, you schedule a vote on the First Amendment Defense Act (“FADA,” H.R. 2802 / S. 1598) sponsored by Congressman Raul Labrador (R-ID) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). We support the new version of FADA released on September 14, 2015, in order to prohibit federal government discrimination against those who continue to believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. Charities, non-profits, and family owned businesses with religious beliefs or moral convictions about marriage should not be penalized by the federal government for their beliefs. FADA prevents the federal government from engaging in discrimination, whether in grants, contracts, licensing, accreditation or tax treatment, against individuals and entities who continue to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman and that sexual relations are reserved for such a marriage. The new version does not include publicly traded companies, federal employees or contractors within the scope of their employment or contract, or health care entities with respect to visitation, proxy decision making or treatment necessary to cure illness or injury. Additionally, FADA explicitly states that it does not authorize the federal government to deny any benefit or service authorized under federal law.

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