H.R. 1 - The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act
This bill served as the House Republican’s tax reform vehicle for the 115th session of Congress. While the AHA does not take a position on the tax reform bill in general, this bill contained a provision, Sec. 520, which sought to repeal the Johnson Amendment. The Johnson Amendment refers to a change in the US tax code in 1954 that prohibited houses of worship and other 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from participating in campaign politics while receiving preferential tax status.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality opposed this legislation. A “no” vote supports the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: The legislation passed the House of Representatives, but the provision related to the Johnson Amendment was not included in the final version of the bill which passed the Congress.
H.R. 1892 - The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 is a federal statute concerning spending and the budget for the United States Government. While the AHA does not take a position on the general budget, this bill would also allow for houses of worship to receive disaster recovery funds and to spend taxpayer money to build or rebuild religious buildings. Houses of worship are already eligible to receive compensation for damage caused by individuals sheltering within their structures during natural disasters or by natural disasters themselves while houses of worship are sheltering people; this bill would allow houses of worship to receive federal aid even when they did not assist in sheltering those fleeing from natural disasters.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality opposed this legislation. A “no” vote supports the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: This bill was signed in to law by President Donald Trump.
H.R. 36 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The bill provides exceptions for an abortion: (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality opposed this legislation. A “no” vote supports the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: This bill passed the House of Representatives and awaits consideration by the Senate.
H.R . 7 - No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017
This bill makes permanent the prohibition on the use of federal funds, including funds in the budget of the District of Columbia, for abortion or health coverage that includes abortion. The prohibitions in this bill, and current prohibitions, do not apply to abortions in cases of rape or incest, or where a physical condition endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. Abortions may not be provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee. This bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prohibit qualified health plans from including coverage for abortions. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges and are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies and small employer health insurance tax credits.) Currently, qualified health plans may cover abortion, but the portion of the premium attributable to abortion coverage is not eligible for subsidies.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality opposed this legislation. A “no” vote supports the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: This bill passed the House of Representatives and awaits consideration by the Senate.
H.R.1430 - Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 or the HONEST Act
This bill would severely limit the EPA’s ability to use data that includes studies with confidential health information. These types of studies are the basis for research on pollution’s effects on humans, but include individual health records that are legally required to remain confidential. This bill would cripple the EPA’s ability to develop effective public health safeguards by forcing them to disregard the results of these studies, resulting in less protective standards.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality opposed this legislation. A “no” vote supports the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: This bill passed the House of Representatives and awaits consideration by the Senate.
H.R. 6147 - Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act of 2019
This bill contains two provisions, Sec. 112 and Sec. 818, that would repeal both the Johnson Amendment and Death With Dignity Act of 2016, respectively. Currently, the Johnson Amendment prohibits religious and 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from using their money to campaign for political candidates while receiving preferential tax status. Under this bill, churches would not lose their preferential tax status if they campaigned for candidates for office. The District of Columbia Death With Dignity Act of 2016 allows terminally ill adults (who have been medically confirmed to have less than six months to live) to request lethal doses of medication from doctors to voluntarily end their lives. This bill would completely repeal the Act.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality opposed this legislation. A “no” vote supports the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: This bill passed the House of Representatives and is being considered in the Senate.
H. Res. 44/H.Res. 699 (Darwin Day Resolution)
These resolutions shows gratitude for all that Charles Darwin and modern scientists have done to help improve humanity’s quality of life. The resolution also states that evolution provides humanity with a logical and intellectually compelling explanation for the diversity of life on Earth, claims that the teaching of creationism in some public schools compromises the scientific and academic integrity of the United States’ education systems, and decries those who oppose the scientific findings regarding climate change. Since 2011, the American Humanist Association and the Center for Freethought Equality has worked closely with members of Congress to introduce the Darwin Day resolution and work towards its passage through Congress.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality supports this legislation. Representatives who co-sponsored the resolution support the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: The legislation has not yet received a vote in the House or the Senate.
H. Res. 263/H. Res. 852 (National Day of Reason Resolution)
The National Day of Reason (NDOR) is the inclusive alternative to the National Day of Prayer (NDOP). The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May and was created by a congressional resolution approved by President Harry S. Truman in 1952. The resolution calls on the president to issue a proclamation every year to encourage Americans to pray in thanks for America’s freedom and other values, and to establish that year’s National Day of Prayer through government recognition. Since the NDOP excludes nontheist Americans, the Center for Freethought Equality and American Humanist Association began advocating for a National Day of Reason as an inclusive alternative worthy of government recognition. A National Day of Reason resolution is therefore introduced every year to celebrate reason and to promote public policy that is based on reason and logic rather than dogma from religious and ideological beliefs.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality supports this legislation. Representatives who co-sponsored the resolution support the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: The legislation has not yet received a vote in the House or the Senate.
H. Res. 349 (Anti-Blasphemy Resolution)
This resolution calls on the President and the Department of State to: (1) make the repeal of blasphemy, heresy, or apostasy laws a priority in the bilateral relationships of the United States with all countries that have such laws; and (2) designate countries that enforce such laws as "countries of particular concern for religious freedom" under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The resolution also urges the governments of countries that: (1) enforce such laws to amend or repeal such laws; and (2) have prosecuted, imprisoned, and persecuted people on charges of blasphemy, heresy, or apostasy to release such people unconditionally and ensure their safety. Finally, the resolution encourages the President and the State Department to oppose: (1) any efforts by international or multilateral fora to create an international anti-blasphemy norm, and (2) any attempts to expand the international norm on incitement to include blasphemy or defamation of religions.
CFE position: The Center for Freethought Equality supports this legislation. Representatives who co-sponsored the resolution support the position of the Center for Freethought Equality.
Outcome: The legislation has not yet received a vote in the House or the Senate.
