Democrats Seek to Weaken Landmark Religious Freedom Law

More than 120 Democrats have signed onto a House bill that would weaken a popular and bipartisan 1993 law that protects religious freedom.

At issue is the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which says the “government shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion.” That 1993 law passed the House unanimously and the Senate near-unanimously, with only three votes in opposition. President Clinton, a Democrat, signed it. 

But an increasing number of Democrats say the law is being abused. 

Democratic Rep. Joe Kennedy (Mass.) is sponsoring a bill, the Do No Harm Act, that would amend the 1993 law so it doesn’t apply to a series of situations. Among those exceptions would be a federal rule protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in public housing. Also exempted would be anything “denying a person the full and equal enjoyment of a good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation, provided by the government.” It applies to government contracts and grants. It also would impact health care and, potentially, the issue of abortion. 

“By passing the Do No Harm Act, we can reestablish the sacred balance between religious liberty and the personal liberties of those who have too often had their civil rights bargained away,” Kennedy said when it was introduced. 

The Do No Harm Act (H.R….