Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act

The ACLJ is once again supporting a very important piece of legislation called the "Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act" which would allow religious leaders to speak freely from the pulpit on moral and political issues of the day.

At a Washington, D.C. news conference today, ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow expressed his support for the measure along with other groups and organizations.  Jay told reporters that the IRS has no business muzzling pastors and that the legislation is needed.

There is growing support for the measure, which has been introduced into the House by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC).  Senators Sam Brownback of Kansas and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma as well as Congressmen Mike Pence of Indiana and Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania called upon the House and Senate leadership to get this measure passed during the 109th Congress.  This is the fourth time the legislation has been introduced and supporters are hopeful this is the year it clears Congress.

The measure would change the IRS code which currently places speech restrictions on tax-exempt groups.  The ACLJ has been supportive of this measure from the very beginning.  And Jay has written extensively about this issue.

The measure, which was reintroduced into the House by Congressman Jones, has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  We will keep you posted on developments.