Thread: Trump to ease rules on church political activity: report

Trump to ease rules on church political activity: report

By Naomi Jagoda and Lydia Wheeler - 05/03/17 05:50 PM EDT

President Trump is reportedly set to sign an executive order Thursday to make it easier to for churches and other religious groups to participate in politics without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

Citing several administration officials, The New York Times reported Wednesday that Trump plans to sign an order in the morning that attempts to overcome a provision in the federal tax code prohibiting religious organizations from directly opposing or endorsing political candidates. This prohibition is known as the "Johnson amendment," because it was proposed by then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson in the 1950s.

Easing restrictions on church political activity has been a longtime priority for Trump, social conservatives and a number of congressional Republicans. They argue the Johnson Amendment stifles churches’ First Amendment rights.

Trump has repeatedly called for repeal of the Johnson Amendment, saying in February that he would “totally destroy” it.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request to confirm the Times report.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) has said he wants to include repeal of the Johnson Amendment in tax-reform legislation. And the House Oversight Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the Johnson Amendment on Thursday, the National Day of Prayer.

But a number of Democrats, charities and even some religious groups have supported the current ban on political activity by religious groups and nonprofits.

They point out that the Johnson Amendment doesn’t just apply to religious institutions but also applies to other charities with status as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. And they are concerned that it could lead to a politicization of nonprofits and an influx of “dark money” in politics.

Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden (Ore.), Bill Nelson (Fla.) and Bob Casey (Pa.) on Wednesday sent a letter to congressional GOP leaders and key committee chairmen, urging them to keep the ban.

"Proposals to weaken the prohibition on political campaign activity by charities will effectively lead to the elimination of our nation’s campaign finance laws," they said.

The Democrats also argued that "nonpartisanship is the cornerstone of Americans’ trust in the charitable sector," and that if charities started in engage in political activities, it would undermine their credibility. Additionally, the senators argued that Johnson Amendment ensures that federal grants to charities "are free from political conflicts of interest."

Earlier in the day Wednesday, civil rights and LGBTQ advocates rallied outside the White House after reports indicated that Trump was preparing to sign an executive order on religious freedom Thursday they fear will allow individuals and organizations to discriminate against women and LGBTQ Americans.

It is unclear if the Johnson Amendment order will come alongside more expansive action on religious liberty, or instead of it.

A draft of the religious liberty order leaked to The Nation in February allowed federal contractors, their employees, religious organizations, which included closely held corporations, and groups receiving federal funds the ability to claim broad religious objections to same-sex marriage, abortion, premarital sex and trans identity.

In a statement, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey denounced the anticipated order as discriminatory.

“President Trump’s rumored Executive Order should horrify anyone who has read our Constitution or believes in the principles of equality and decency that define our country,” she said.

“The order would be a license to discriminate against LGBT Americans, women seeking health care and countless others. The President should have learned by now that when he acts based on prejudice and hate, when he invents false reasons to demean and disparage, we will challenge him at every turn. And we will win.”

The American Civil Liberties Union said it is planning to file a lawsuit immediately if Trump signs such an order.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...ctivity-report

END their tax exempt status! We are footing the bill for forcing their beliefs down our throats!

They need to start forking over the money to pay for uncontrolled breeding, welfare, food stamps, housing and living off the backs of others.

OR get those programs out of the government and into the hands of the Churches and let charity pay for it!

Pass the FairTax and solve the whole stinking problem of 501 C 3 "charity" frauds.

President Trump Plans to Loosen Rules on Political Organizing by Churches 501(c)3