A renewed legislative effort is underway in Congress to ensure that pastors and other leaders of religious non-profits can voice political views without risking government punishment. Spearheaded by North Carolina Congressman Mark Harris, the proposed legislation seeks to roll back restrictions that have long been used to chill political expression within churches and non-profit organizations.
On Monday, Harris introduced the “Free Speech Fairness Act,” a measure crafted to shield religious leaders from IRS penalties simply for expressing political opinions. The bill takes direct aim at the Johnson Amendment, a provision from 1954 that effectively muzzles churches and charities by threatening their tax-exempt status if they support or oppose political candidates.
Harris, himself a Baptist minister, views the existing rules as an infringement on foundational liberties. “People of faith should not fear exercising their First Amendment rights at the risk of the IRS coming after them,” Harris said in a statement.
“For too long, the Johnson Amendment has silenced pastors, churches, and non-profits from engaging on moral and political issues of our day for fear of losing their tax-exempt status. This attempt to muzzle people of faith must end – the Constitution is clear: Americans’ right to free speech shall not be infringed.”
