releases: https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1844
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| https://lamborn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1844 | Freedom of Speech Includes Freedom to Preach | 2016-11-15 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | CO | Doug Lamborn | L000564 | lamborn.house.gov | legacy | Gazette Op-Ed by Congressman Doug LambornOn Oct. 2, many congregations around the country celebrated "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." On this unofficial holiday, reverends, pastors and preachers exercise the same right that should be afforded to all Americans: the right to free speech. Specifically, religious leaders use this Sunday to protest limits to religious freedom that stifle their ability to freely express their political opinions. The freedom to worship and freedom of speech go hand in hand. Both are fundamental, inalienable rights - the core of the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. Individuals and private companies enjoy the right to express their opinions in the home or the workplace without fear of retaliation or harassment. However, for the past 60 years, religious organizations and nonprofits have not been afforded this same right. Since our nation's beginning, institutions of faith have provided vital charitable services and support to our communities, our nation and to the world. The government has long honored these valuable contributions by granting a special tax-exempt status to these organizations themselves and for contributions to those organizations. All this changed in 1954, when then-Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, in a misguided effort to silence some of his political adversaries, introduced a simple appropriations rider that became known as the "Johnson Amendment." Under the Johnson Amendment, our public policy changed to recognizing the valuable contributions of houses of worship only if they gave up their constitutional right to free speech. In action, it has essentially said, "We will recognize your charitable contributions - but only if you give up your constitutional rights." In recent years, Johnson's addition to the tax code has had startling repercussions on the free speech rights of pastors and members of religiously affiliated nonprofits. This same amendment to the tax code has been used to silence religious groups on moral matters - even to the point that leaders cannot state their personal opinions from the pulpit. For these reasons, I have introduced H.R. 6086, the Protect Religious Expression Against Censorship and Harassment (PREACH) Act. This bill repeals the harmful provisions in the Johnson Amendment that impede the free speech rights of religious organizations. My bill will allow churches, religious organizations and nonprofits with religious ties to determine the appropriate content of all communications - from speeches and sermons to bulletins and newsletters. That way, community leaders can express their opinions freely to their congregations and to the public without fear of losing their tax-exempt status. It will allow religious leaders and communities to exercise freedom of speech every day - not just on "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." Furthermore, H.R. 6086 will take away the injunction authority that the IRS has notoriously abused to scare religious organizations into silence on matters of conscience. Given the targeting scandals that have plagued the IRS in recent years, this bill is more necessary than ever. The PREACH Act focuses primarily on freedom of speech; it does not change all aspects of the Johnson Amendment. The passage of this bill will not allow churches to participate in electioneering or lobbying - something proponents of the Johnson Amendment argue is necessary for the separation of church and state. Rather, my bill protects religious organizations from limitations on their freedom of speech and expression. According to Princeton's McCormick Professor and religious liberty expert Robert George, "Freedom of religion has priority or at least a sort of pride of place [in America]. Religious liberty played a foundational historical role in the establishment of the conditions of free institutions." I recognize the many diverse churches, religious groups and nonprofits of all faiths that support our free institutions, give charity to the poor, and help our communities thrive. These institutions deserve our respect, and they deserve the freedom to express their opinions as outlined in the First Amendment. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the PREACH Act and restore constitutional rights to faith-based groups across the nation. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |