“These latest Trump administration rules undermine the civil rights and religious freedom of millions of our country’s most vulnerable people who rely on social services," said AU CEO Rachel Laser. "People should never be forced to choose between obtaining taxpayer-funded services they desperately need and remaining true to their personal religious beliefs and identity. 

“It’s unconscionable, though hardly surprising, that the lame-duck Trump administration would expand the ability of federal contractors – who employ one-fifth of the American workforce – to use religious litmus tests to hire or fire employees for jobs paid for with taxpayer dollars. It’s especially heartless that the Trump administration would advance this policy in the midst of a global public health and economic crisis," said AU CEO Rachel Laser.

“The Supreme Court’s order misuses religious freedom and endangers the public health of everyone in New York," said Americans United CEO Rachel Laser. "With coronavirus cases spiking across the country, we should be heeding the advice of public health experts who recommend limiting large gatherings. COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate between religious and secular gatherings; on numerous occasions, infections at houses of worship have led to major outbreaks in surrounding communities."

“Gov. Cuomo’s order does not violate religious freedom; it ensures religious freedom is not misused to endanger people’s lives,” AU President and CEO Rachel Laser said. “As Thanksgiving and many religious holidays approach, we sympathize with the families and faith communities yearning to come together to celebrate, worship and find solace at the end of a challenging year. But religious freedom should not be wielded as a sword that results in harm to the community."

“Now more than ever, we need to take a stand for church-state separation," said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser. "Americans United looks forward to working with the Biden administration to make sure the United States lives up to its ideals of being a place where people of all faiths and none are welcome, equal and free to practice their beliefs as they choose, as long as they don't harm others.”