With just a few more weeks left in office, President Obama is vowing to veto a bill that would protect the religious freedoms of those who contract with the federal government.
Each year, the senate considers the renewal of the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill includes funding for the entire Department of Defense. Under language in the bill, people of faith would not have to forfeit their religious liberties just because they choose to contract with the federal government.
“Obama would compel religious organizations to hire people who do not share the organization’s religious beliefs,” said Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch. “It’s difficult to imagine a position more at odds with our heritage of religious freedom.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives approved their version of the bill that contains strong religious freedom protections. The senate will soon do the same.
Autumn Leva, policy director for Family Policy Alliance, said it appears the President wants to make his point one more time before leaving office.
“This boils down to the President, the Commander in Chief,” she said, “threatening to cut funding to those who fight, and at times die, to protect our freedoms, because he doesn’t want to protect religious freedom for Americans. Can anything be more un-American?”
TAKE ACTION
Contact the White House and ask President Obama to please sign the National Defense Authorization bill that contains religious freedom protections.