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CONTACT: Amy Auth
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This afternoon, United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) voted for an amendment to the School Readiness Act (H.R. 2123) that would include important hiring protections for religious organizations. The amendment passed in a 220-196 vote.

“The Constitution of the United States explicitly states that Congress shall make no law… prohibiting the free exercise of religion,” said Rep. Foxx during debate earlier today. “Prohibiting our churches, mosques and synagogues from hiring people with similar beliefs is not only an affront to their very core, but also contrary to this great nation’s Constitution.”

Rep. Foxx noted that the First Amendment allows Americans the freedom to think, speak and believe as they choose. “Secular groups, such as Planned Parenthood or the Sierra Club, are free to hire based on their ideologies and missions, but still use federal funding. Why should there be a double-standard for faith-based organizations?” asked Rep. Foxx.

The Congresswoman argued that religious organizations have a right to provide the same services and programs as secular organizations. The 1964 Civil Rights Act echoes the intent of the Constitution by specifically protecting the rights of faith-based organizations to hire people who share the same beliefs.

“Are we going to deny many of our poorest and less fortunate children the opportunity to learn in these early childhood education programs simply because a church is administering it? This is about our children, and denying them exemplary services just because the organization providing them happens to be a religious one is just cruel,” she said.

Finally, Rep. Foxx praised houses of worship for their contributions to society. “To not allow these organizations -- who have proven they are some of the best at feeding the hungry, healing the sick and housing the homeless -- to provide early childhood education for our children, is just wrong,” she said. “Just because an organization has among its purpose and basic tenets to serve others is not a reason to discriminate against them.”

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