GOP Bill Will Allow Churches to Endorse Political Candidates
In another effort for the Republicans to blur the lines between church and state, House Republicans are now proposing that churches should have the right to endorse political candidates and still keep their tax-free status.
Republicans have been trying to repeal a law that prevents churches and other non-profits from backing candidates. Since they haven’t been successful with that, they are now trying to eliminate funding to the IRS for this measure.
A House Appropriations subcommittee snuck in language to a bill that will fund the Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission and other agencies.
The subcommittee passed the bill Thursday.
“I believe that churches have a right of free speech and an opportunity to talk about positions and issues that are relevant to their faith,” said Rep. Jim Renacci.
The bill specifically forbids the IRS from spending money to enforce the law against “a church, or a convention or association of churches,” unless the IRS commissioner signs off on it and notifies Congress.
However, it fails to mention other types of non-profit groups, or even synagogues or mosques.
