Civil and Human Rights Coalition Slams Trump’s Executive Order to Allow Partisan Politics in the Pulpit and Undermine Women’s Health

WASHINGTON—Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to overturn the Johnson Amendment, which precludes tax-exempt organizations, including places of worship, from engaging in any political campaign activity and would curtail the contraception mandate of the Affordable Care Act:

“Well over half a century ago, Congress determined that organizations that are tax-exempt, including places of worship, must not engage in partisan political activity. This law has been upheld by federal courts. President Trump may disagree with the law, but he cannot circumvent it. Faith leaders can, and do, speak out on a wide range of political and social issues. However, if they choose to speak out in favor of specific candidates, they should lose their tax-exempt status.

“Churches, temples and mosques play an important role in our society. But they are not, and should not, be political campaigns or political action committees. Faith leaders and people of faith agree that this is a line that should not be crossed.

“This executive order also continues the Republican ‘War on Women.’ After rescinding the Obama regulation prohibiting states from barring qualified providers like Planned Parenthood from the Title X family planning program, this order goes even further by permitting employers to exclude coverage of contraceptives in their health plans, thereby depriving countless women of basic health care.

“This executive order is pure political payback. It promotes religious discrimination and harms women’s health, and should be struck down by the courts.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.