Opposes House Resolution that Violates the First Amendment – AMAC – The Association of Mature American Citizens – AMAC

H.Res.1305 proposes to place a special designation on a religion. As the House of Representatives has never placed a favored status on any religion, this bill would constitute a violation of our Constitution.

August 30, 2022The Honorable Al Green9th Congressional District of Texas2347 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515

CC: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Whip Steve Scalise

Dear Representative Green,

On behalf of the 2.3 million members of AMAC the Association of Mature American Citizens, including over 1,200 residing in TX-09, I write to express our opposition to H.Res.1305.

H.Res.1305 proposes to place a special designation on a religion. As the House of Representatives has never placed a favored status on any religion, this bill would constitute a violation of our Constitution.The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States prohibits the House from advancing this kind of resolution, see the text below:

First Amendment:Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If the House of Representatives were to recognize any religion as one of the great religions of the world that action would constitute a violation of the First Amendment Establishment Clause.The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from instituting a national religion, but it also prohibits government from favoring, or promoting one religion over another.

For your reference, a letter regarding Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty from the Attorney General of the United States, posted in the Federal Register (82 FR 49668), addresses this specifically in the following excerpt:

Government may not officially favor or disfavor particular religious groups. Together, the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause prohibit government from officially preferring one religious group to another.

We respectfully ask you, Representative Green, and your cosponsors, to honor the intent of our founders, to support and defend our Constitution, and to remember that the First Amendment protects all Americans, practicing any religion, from government interference in the free exercise of their faith; by withdrawing H.Res.1305.

Sincerely,Bob CarlstromPresidentAMAC Action

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Opposes House Resolution that Violates the First Amendment - AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens - AMAC