Once again, efforts are under way in the U.S. House of Representatives to undermine the Johnson Amendment, which is the provision in the tax code that ensures that all tax-exempt organizations, including houses of worship, do not endorse or oppose candidates. Despite the fact that the Johnson Amendment is popular among faith and nonprofit leaders because it protects the integrity and independence of our houses of worship and charitable nonprofit organizations, some – including President Donald Trump – continue to try to repeal and weaken it.

Tomorrow, the House Appropriations Committee will be debating the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill, which includes a section with language aimed to weaken the Johnson Amendment, a law that protects the integrity of houses of worship and nonprofits by ensuring they do not endorse or oppose political candidates.

The introduction of the Congressional Freethought Caucus is a great step forward to amplify the voices of nonreligious Americans on Capitol Hill. This group of lawmakers intends to promote sound public policy based on reason, protect the secular character of our government and oppose discrimination against nontheists.