The Do No Harm Act, a bill that’s designed to ensure that the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) continues to provide important protections for religious exercise while clarifying that RFRA may not be used to discriminate against or otherwise harm others, was introduced in the U.S. Senate in May.

U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced the legislation; a House version, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.) and Joseph Kennedy (D-Mass.), was introduced last year. It now has over 100 House co-sponsors.

Americans United supports the legislation. AU President and CEO Rachel Laser said in a statement that “the Do No Harm Act will ensure that we honor two core American values: religious freedom and the promise of equal protection under the law.”

Congress enacted the federal RFRA in 1993 with the goal of protecting religious freedom, especially for religious minorities. At that time, a broad coalition of progressive and conservative groups, including Americans United, supported the law. But since then, the federal RFRA has been misinterpreted by some courts and has become a vehicle for those who want to use religion to undermine protections for civil rights and access to health care.

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


Join the Fight and Donate Today