November 29, 2022 Dear Friends, I hope you had a great time of Thanksgiving with family over the long weekend (especially long by virtue of LSU’s poor play Saturday). We are so blessed to live in a country where freedom still exists, even if political winds seem bent on silencing religious liberty. Here are a few updates I felt you needed to see: SO-CALLED RESPECT MARRIAGE ACT As you know, the Senate is considering legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and codify same-sex marriage in federal law. The so-called “Respect for Marriage Act” is a tremendous threat to religious liberty, but for whatever ill-conceived reason, 12 Republicans voted to advance the bill. Democrats claim that their bill respects religious liberty. It does not. Over the weekend, Reverend Franklin Graham warned that the Respect for Marriage Act “is dangerous legislation that would be used against individuals, churches, and organizations who honor traditional marriage. I am pleased to report that we are making a progress! Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) have announced that they will support an amendment by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) to guarantee that individuals, small businesses and faith-based organizations are protected from lawsuits and government harassment. We still need one more senator to oppose the Respect for Marriage Act without the Lee amendment. That vote is this afternoon. The senators most likely to “see the light” if we “turn up the heat:" Sen. Roy Blunt (MO). Sen. Richard Burr (NC) Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (WV) Sen. Joni Ernst (IA) Sen. Thom Tillis (NC) Sen. Todd Young (IN) PASTORS - if you have church contacts in these states, please have them call the Capitol Hill Switchboard now at 202-224-3121 and ask for their office. Tell the aide who answers "that your senator must vote to protect religious liberty!” Respectfully ask them to oppose the Respect for Marriage Act unless the Lee Amendment is included in the bill. Thankfully, both Louisiana Senators Cassidy and Kennedy opposed this legislation! |