The proposed HHS rule affects all department programs. HHS is a sprawling agency that sponsors more than 100 programs, dealing with issues such as homelessness, senior care, refugee resettlement and emergency housing. Potentially millions of Americans could be harmed if they are denied critical services because of this reckless rule.

Americans United applauded the June 5 introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family (ECDF) Act, proposed legislation that will ensure that taxpayer-funded adoption, foster care and child welfare agencies don’t discriminate against children, families and individuals on the basis of religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.

Government must not fund a private entity’s religiously motivated discrimination. Nor may government grant special religious exceptions from a law when it would cause harm to others, such as same-sex couples who want to become foster parents and the children in need of homes.