Dear Friend,
I know we’ve already contacted you several times this year about protecting the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits houses of worship and other non-profit organizations from participating in campaign politics while maintaining tax exempt status. But a new provision added in to a tax bill in the U.S. Congress means we need your help once again to protect the separation of church and state and the transparency of our elections system.
A provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would allow tax-exempt houses of worship to endorse one or more candidates in all of its statements, presentations, and teachings made during “religious services or gatherings.” Effectively, houses of worship would become partisan campaign organizations which would enjoy a preferential tax status not afforded to other political organizations.
Please take a moment to ask your Representative to oppose Section 5201 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The allies of the Religious Right in Congress are hoping that you won’t act, and that this obscure provision will become the law of the land. Don’t allow them to blur the lines separating church from state by failing to act. Ask your Representative to oppose Section 5201 in the House tax bill.
Thank you for protecting our elections.
Sincerely,
Roy Speckhardt
Executive Director