Press Releases

Rep. Balint Leads Letter in Support of Protections for Those Seeking Services from Faith Based and Neighborhood Organizations

Washington, D.C - Rep. Becca Balint and nine other members submitted a comment letter to Federal Agencies heads regarding a proposed rule by the Education Department, the Homeland Security Department, the Agriculture Department, the Agency for International Development, the Housing and Urban Development Department, the Justice Department, the Labor Department, the Veterans Affairs Department, and the Health and Human Services Department. 

The letter was submitted in support of the proposed regulations entitled “Partnerships with Faith Based and Neighborhood Organizations” and to urge additional improvements to ensure robust religious liberty and nondiscrimination protections for people who use federally funded social services. This follows Trump Administration regulations that eliminated critical religious freedom protections for people seeking government-funded social services and placed the interests of government-funded organizations over those of people seeking these services.

“Religious freedom is a core American value and serves as a shield to protect people, especially religious minorities, from religious discrimination and ensures that the government does not pressure anyone to participate in religious activities,” the letter read. “When the government funds social services, they must be open to all people, including people of all faith backgrounds and the nonreligious. Religion should never be used to deny people government-funded services, and people who seek government-funded services should never be pressured to participate in religious activities in order to receive such services.”

Rep. Balint is joined by Reps. Raskin, Huffman, Schakowsky, Pocan, Foushee, Evans, Bonamici, Frankel and Scanlon. 

Read text of the letter here.