BuzzFeed News has confirmed that Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah will reintroduce a bill next year to protect people and corporations that hold a religious objection to same-sex marriage. The report added adding that the political climate amid Donald Trump’s presidency will give the legislation a better shot at advancing than it had the past two years.
"Hopefully November's results will give us the momentum we need to get this done next year," said Lee’s spokesman, Conn Carroll.
The President-elect vowed during the campaign to sign the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), arguing it would "protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Catholics and the beliefs of Americans of all faiths."
Carroll added, "We do plan to reintroduce FADA next Congress and we welcome Trump's positive words about the bill."
The measure was filed in both the House and Senate in 2015, but only got a hearing in the House. The bill faltered amid protests from Democrats and speculation that President Obama would veto the measure if it reached his desk.
Sen. Ted Cruz, a co-sponsor of the bill who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the bill was referred in the current Congress, believes the election results are a game-changer.
"The prospects for protecting religious freedom are brighter now than they have been in a long time," the Texas Republican told BuzzFeed News. "We are having ongoing conversations with our colleagues both in Congress and leaders in the new administration about a multitude of ways we can honor the commitment made to the voters in this last election."
The First Amendment Defense Act would ban the federal government from punishing individuals and corporations — for example, denying them a tax exemption or a grant — if they act on a "religious belief or moral conviction" that marriage is between one man and one woman. It also protects those who think "that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage."
It had 172 House co-sponsors and 37 in the Senate.
"Hopefully November's results will give us the momentum we need to get this done next year," said Lee’s spokesman, Conn Carroll.
The President-elect vowed during the campaign to sign the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), arguing it would "protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Catholics and the beliefs of Americans of all faiths."
Carroll added, "We do plan to reintroduce FADA next Congress and we welcome Trump's positive words about the bill."
The measure was filed in both the House and Senate in 2015, but only got a hearing in the House. The bill faltered amid protests from Democrats and speculation that President Obama would veto the measure if it reached his desk.
Sen. Ted Cruz, a co-sponsor of the bill who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the bill was referred in the current Congress, believes the election results are a game-changer.
"The prospects for protecting religious freedom are brighter now than they have been in a long time," the Texas Republican told BuzzFeed News. "We are having ongoing conversations with our colleagues both in Congress and leaders in the new administration about a multitude of ways we can honor the commitment made to the voters in this last election."
The First Amendment Defense Act would ban the federal government from punishing individuals and corporations — for example, denying them a tax exemption or a grant — if they act on a "religious belief or moral conviction" that marriage is between one man and one woman. It also protects those who think "that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage."
It had 172 House co-sponsors and 37 in the Senate.