Today, Republican Leaders of the Committee on Education and Labor, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), issued the following statement applauding the Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule to protect religious liberty for federal contractors:
“The cornerstone of America’s representative republic is the First Amendment, which guarantees the free exercise of religion. Today’s final rule upholds this precious right by ensuring that religious organizations doing business with the federal government as contractors are protected in the free exercise of their religion.
“By providing employers and contractors much needed clarity, DOL’s rule will encourage more participation in the federal contracting system and increase competition in federal contracting. Taxpayers around the country will reap the benefits of additional needed goods and services.
“We applaud DOL Secretary Scalia for upholding Americans’ First Amendment rights and taking welcome action supporting the rights of religious organizations.”
BACKGROUND: Religious organizations have been discouraged from seeking federal contracts because of uncertainty surrounding their obligations. Last year, Rep. Foxx and then-Republican Leader of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, Rep. James Comer (R-KY), sent a comment letter to Acting DOL
