legislation, natural disaster, inspector general, Religious Liberty, Women, Essential Workers, broadband, accountablity, Stimulus, Physicians, Farmers, Africa, First Responders, Airlines, small business,

Congressman Biggs Leads Letter to President Trump about Potential Phase Four Package
Source: U.S. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ, 5th)
April 3, 2020
Our nation is facing an unprecedented public health emergency, and President Trump has shown extraordinary leadership during this difficult time. I have enormous sympathy for all Americans who are ill, as well to those who are out of work. However, even in the midst of this terrible crisis, we must continue be good stewards of our nation’s finances, challenging though that responsibility is during periods like this.
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BRINDISI & FITZPATRICK INTRODUCE BILL TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE PREPAREDNESS FOR FUTURE NATURAL EMERGENCIES
Source: U.S. Representative Anthony Brindisi (D-NY, 22nd)
April 3, 2020
“Saving lives and keeping Americans safe is my top priority,” said Brindisi. “Unfortunately, we are already seeing breaks in our supply chain of critical supplies like PPE and other essential equipment to keep our frontline workers safe. We must learn from this crisis and in the future, we need to strengthen our supply chain and not be over-reliant on adversaries like China to help us in our time of need. The bipartisan Made In America Emergency Preparedness Act will make our country better prepared for national emergencies and in times of war, strengthen our manufacturing sector, and create good-paying jobs along the way. While we respond to this pandemic, we need to also be working together to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
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CASTRO STATEMENT ON TRUMP FIRING INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY INSPECTOR GENERAL
Source: U.S Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX, 20th)
April 3, 2020
“In the middle of the night, in the midst of a global pandemic, as the coronavirus threatens the American people, President Trump is executing retribution against a civil servant who informed the American people of a whistleblower complaint that led to his impeachment for abuse of power.”
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PELL’S RELEASE TRIGGERS BACKLASH
Source: Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
April 3, 2020
Most people are normal and desire justice. Abnormal people prize revenge. A case in point is the reaction to the release of Cardinal George Pell from an Australian prison. Normal people are happy with the news, but there are always the abnormal ones.
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Victory for Arizona Girls and Women!
Source: Center for Arizona Policy
April 3, 2020
31 courageous state representatives stood strong for Arizona girls and women and passed HB2706, ensuring only biological females compete in female sports.
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Casey, Senate Democrats Unveil COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” Proposal To Provide $25,000 Pay Increase To Essential Workers On Frontline Of Nation’s Pandemic Response
Source: Senator Robert P.Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
April 7, 2020
“We are in a war against COVID-19, and we owe our gratitude to all of the workers who are putting their own health and safety at risk by fighting on the front lines of this pandemic,” said Senator Bob Casey. “And just like wartime, we must recognize and reward those who are on the front lines—health care professionals, first responders, personal care and home health workers, truck drivers, grocery store workers and other unsung heroes—for their selfless efforts to do the critical work of protecting our citizens and keeping our country running so millions of Americans can stay safe at home. The Heroes Fund would provide essential workers with increased compensation and incentivize others to join the fight against COVID-19.”
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Chu, Hirono, Harris, Grijalva, Correa Introduce Legislation to Provide Critical Assistance to Vulnerable Communities Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic
Source: U.S Representative Judy Chu (D-CA, 27th)
April 3, 2020
The Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act would, among other provisions, help ensure that all communities are able to access COVID-19 testing and treatment, and other relief services provided in coronavirus relief legislation. It would provide dedicated funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct public outreach in multiple languages to hard-to-reach populations to ensure that vulnerable communities have access to COVID-19 relief measures and critical public health information.
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FCC’s 5G Fund Draft Presents False Choice in Path to Bring Critical Mobile Broadband Services to Areas Still In Need
Source: Competitive Carriers Association
April 3, 2020
In a statement, CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “I appreciate the Commission’s focus on ensuring every American has access to robust mobile broadband services and for a dedicated $9 billion for mobile service in rural America; however, I am extremely discouraged by the two options the Commission has proposed. The draft proposal sets up a false choice between, on the one hand, updating the FCC’s maps in line with the recently-enacted Broadband DATA Act but delaying funding for several years, and, on the other hand, moving forward using the flawed coverage data, simply for the sake of moving forward quickly. But these are plainly not the only options, nor the best options; there is no reason why the FCC cannot follow the law that Congress mandated and distribute needed funding in a timely manner, with accurate data. We should not be limiting ourselves to two inadequate options, but rather looking for real solutions to deploy mobile broadband as quickly as possible.”
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Cotton, Hawley, Curtis, Gallagher Introduce Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act
Source: Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
April 3, 2020
“Dr. Li tried to warn his country and the world about the Wuhan coronavirus, but he was silenced by the Chinese Communist Party. By hiding the truth about the virus, the CCP turned a regional health problem into a global catastrophe. In honor of Dr. Li, our bill seeks to punish foreign officials responsible for suppressing information about international health crises, including the Wuhan virus,” said Cotton.
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Disability Law Center’s Efforts to Advocate for Utahns with Disabilities During COVID-19
Pandemic
Source: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
April 6, 2020
The Disability Law Center (DLC) has taken several steps this week to advocate for Utahns with disabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. First, the DLC filed a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) regarding the State’s Crisis Standards of Care on behalf of the agency and an individual who could be impacted, Jacob Hansen, an individual with cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis. The guidelines’ Patient Prioritization Tool and Adult Triage Guidelines explicitly and implicitly deprioritize people with disabilities for care in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Beatty’s Votes on Coronavirus Response Bills Help Bring $62 Million+ Back to Central Ohio
Source: U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH, 3rd)
April 6, 2020
“As the Representative of Ohio’s Third Congressional District, I am fighting hard to secure the much-needed federal resources to ensure that hardworking Ohioans, families, and small businesses come first during this public health crisis. I was proud to support all three comprehensive COVID-19 response bills, but I am even prouder of the many people in Central Ohio who are working tirelessly on the front lines in the ongoing battle against the virus. The $62 million in federal funds will help my constituents as well as the courageous professionals and dedicated individuals who are saving lives and keeping our country and economy moving forward.”
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Some truths need to be spoken...
Source: Caesar Rodney Institute
April 6, 2020
To their credit, the hospitals have responded appropriately to a perceived crisis and redeployed resources. My guess is that this will be seen as heroic in the short term and over reaction in the long term. History will be the judge.
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Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Veterans, SSI Beneficiaries to Receive Stimulus Checks Automatically Without Having to File Tax Return
Source: U.S Representative Senator Maria Cantwell - (D - WA)
April 6, 2020
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and 40 of their Democratic colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to issue the direct cash assistance included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act automatically to individuals who receive benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. In their letter, the senators point out that the federal government has the data necessary to deliver the stimulus checks automatically, and that many individuals in these groups do not file tax returns.
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Cárdenas, Lofgren Urge Trump Administration to Allow Foreign-Born Physicians to Practice in the U.S. During COVID-19 Pandemic
Source: U.S Representative Troy Cardenas (D-CA, 29th)
April 6, 2020
“Today, the United States has the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. For weeks, state, local, and federal officials have focused their efforts on addressing the extreme shortage of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators, that has hindered our response to this national emergency,” the Members wrote. “Long-before this pandemic emerged, the United States was already experiencing a shortage of medical workers. As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase, so does the risk to U.S. doctors, nurses, and other critical care workers. As this crisis will undoubtedly continue to take its toll on these professionals, we must do everything in our power to build and retain a robust workforce.”
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Carter Introduces Legislation to Prevent Scams During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Source: U.S Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA, 1st)
April 6, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous scams across the country. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been working together to stop fraud, including companies making false claims about COVID-19 treatments and prevention or scammers securing financial information when offering fraudulent COVID-19 assistance.
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REPRESENTATIVE RICK CRAWFORD ANNOUNCES FARM CORPS INITIATIVE PAIRING ARKANSAS AG-PRODUCERS AND UNEMPLOYED GUARD, RESERVISTS
Source: U.S Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR, 1st)
April 6, 2020
“Food Security is national security, and no two groups understand that better than the farmers who produce our food, and the military members who secure our nation. In this challenging environment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers across Arkansas are dealing with a labor shortage, while National Guard and Reserve soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, as well as veterans in general are struggling with job loss,” said Crawford. “I’m proud to support FARM Corps in their broad efforts to bring farmers and veterans together with the common mission of securing American agriculture.”
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Rep Bass Urges Continued Support to Africa Against Violent Extremist Threats Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Source: U.S. Representative Karen Bass (D-CA, 37th)
April 7, 2020
"There have been a series of deadly assaults across the Sahel. Since the beginning of this outbreak, extremists have attacked Chad’s military, killing soldiers near the border of Nigeria and Niger; Nigerian soldiers have been killed in northeastern Nigeria; and this week, numerous Malian soldiers were killed in an attack on their military base. I condemn this violence and any other attempt to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge the administration and international community to continue to support African governments in a comprehensive manner as they combat the increased violence in the region. This especially includes addressing the root causes of violence."
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Rep. Ted Budd Leads Resolution to Honor Health Care Workers and First Responders
Source: U.S. Representative Ted Bud (R-NC, 13th)
April 7, 2020
“Our health care workers and first responders are going above and beyond the call of duty to fight the Coronavirus. It’s essential that we recognize their sacrifice and willingness to put their lives on the line to help save the lives of others. These individuals embody what it means to be true American heroes. Because of their sacrifice, countless lives will be saved and our country will unite and emerge stronger after we defeat this pandemic.”
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Burchett announces legislation to hold airlines accountable for taxpayer-funded relief
Source: U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN, 2nd)
April 7, 2020
As of last week, passenger airline traffic has fallen 90% compared to a year ago. The CARES Act included significant financial relief for the airline industry to address the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines in the United States will receive grants and loans designed to keep their businesses afloat and pay the salaries of their employees in order to make it out of the current crisis with their workforce intact. Rep. Burchett wants to ensure this money makes it to the operations of the airline companies that need it most.
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CARTER CALLS FOR MORE SMALL BUSINESS FUNDING
Source: U.S Representative John Carter (R-TX, 31st)
April 7, 2020
“Over the last week, my office and I have spoken to over 700 small business owners about the Paycheck Protection Program, and it’s increasingly obvious the program will need additional funding to continue helping as many small businesses as possible through this hard time. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I wholeheartedly support efforts to increase funding for PPP loans, and I call on my colleagues to avoid partisan games or unnecessary delays in getting this funding into the hands of business owners. Small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy, and I’m committed to doing whatever is necessary to help them survive.”
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Religious Liberty, Right to Work, C-Band, Iraq, Child Asylum Seekers, ERA

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to February 19, 2020

Are Teachers Ministers?
Source: God Inspires News
February 19, 2020
Erin M. Hawley, Senior Legal Fellow at Independent Women’s Law Center, issued the following statement: “The ‘ministerial exception’ protects a religious group’s right to shape its own faith and mission through hiring practices and bars federal and state courts from interfering with the hiring and retention policies and practices of religious employers. Teachers at religious schools play a critical role in transmitting the faith to the next generation and are, therefore, properly categorized as ‘ministers’ within the exception outline by the U.S. Supreme Court.”
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Christian Mail Carrier Discharged for Not Delivering Packages on Sunday Asks Federal Court for Judgment
Source: God Inspires News
February 19, 2020
On Friday, February 14, a United States Postal Service (USPS) mailman filed a Motion for Summary Judgement before a federal district judge asking the court to find that the USPS violated his rights when it failed to accommodate his religious beliefs regarding work on Sundays.
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IAM Urges Congress to Protect DOD Workers
Source: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
February 18, 2020
“President Trump’s goal to take away union representation has been coming since the day he took office,” said Martinez. “His attack on workers that include the longest federal shutdown in history and the signing of Executive Orders are an assault that will eventually carry over to the private sector. Using the coverage of ‘National Security’ insults workers who have given their lives working for the DOD.”
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INCOMPAS Joins Letter Urging FCC to Adopt Spectrum Aggregation Limits in the C-Band
Source: INCOMPAS
February 18, 2020
The undersigned associations commend the Commission on its plans to reallocate the Cband for terrestrial wireless services and assign it through a public auction. The Commission is well aware of the C-band’s importance and the role it will play in the deployment of 5G and future innovative terrestrial wireless services. Mid-band spectrum is vital for the deployment of 5G services, and the C-band represents a significant opportunity for communications providers to acquire mid-band spectrum.
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Inhofe Leads Delegation to Iraq
Source: Senator James M. Inhofe (R - OK)
February 17, 2020
On Friday, February 14, a United States Postal Service (USPS) mailman filed a Motion for Summary Judgement before a federal district judge asking the court to find that the USPS violated his rights when it failed to accommodate his religious beliefs regarding work on Sundays.
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New Ruling Allowing Child Asylum Seekers to Challenge Return to Mexico While Awaiting Court Hearings Vital to Protecting Thousands of Immigrant Youth
Source: Immigrant Legal Resources Center
February 14, 2020
In a case challenging the dangerous Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)’s application to children, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal district courts have jurisdiction to hear claims from asylum-seeking youth arising under the Flores Settlement Agreement. This decision provides children seeking asylum at the southern border the opportunity to challenge their return under MPP to potentially life-threatening situations in Mexico before their hearing in immigration court.
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INDEPENDENT WOMEN'S VOICE LEAD COALITION LETTER TO CONGRESS OPPOSES THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Source: Independent Women's Voice
February 12, 2020
The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment already guarantees equality of the sexes. The ERA would go much further, requiring that the government treat men and women the same—regardless of actual differences recognized under current law upon which women presently rely. The amendment will, therefore, replace equality under the law with interchangeability or sameness with men in all situations. While we are equal, we are not the same.
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Equal Access for Ohio Christian Clubs

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by: Liberty Counsel

Orlando, FL - April 22, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- A school district in northeast Ohio has ended discrimination against a high school student-led Bible study and a Christian encouragement club, both of which have now been allowed to resume meetings on campus. Liberty Counsel sent a letter to the district on behalf of the students, requesting equal access on the same terms as other noncurricular clubs.

The school board voted unanimously this month to recognize the Christian student-led clubs and to extend equal treatment in all respects, including permitting the students to invite guest speakers during noninstructional time.

When the two clubs were cancelled in Fall 2017, the students were told they could no longer meet as "official school club[s]" and would be treated as "outside organization[s]." The Christian club could no longer have guest speakers, and neither it, nor the Bible study, were permitted to meet during noninstructional time or distribute flyers announcing their meetings. The clubs were told they would also be assessed a facilities fee.

However, the school district permitted other "student-led" clubs such as the Gay-Straight Alliance, an environmental club, a fashion club, a vegan club, and others, to meet. These clubs met at no charge, were allowed faculty advisors, and had full access to all the information channels at school, including distribution and display of flyers, and announcements on the school PA system.

In addition to meeting for encouragement and discussion, student leaders of the Christian club had hoped to demonstrate love and acceptance toward their fellow students by doing acts of kindness on various days. When they were first allowed to meet in 2017, this club met at school during noninstructional time. The students opened the meetings, and when they had a speaker, the students introduced the guest speaker. After the speaker, the students closed the meeting. No guest speaker spoke more than once. However, the Christian club was still told "no outside speakers" would be allowed unless the club moved off campus for such meetings.

After the clubs were cancelled, the students involved in both clubs prepared documentation referencing the Equal Access Act and met with administrators to appeal these decisions. They were told they could "meet informally during lunch to read the Bible and pray" with a faculty advisor, but they could not be given club privileges, including sharing announcements about the club, or displaying club flyers.

Liberty Counsel then sent a letter demanding equal access. After receiving the letter, the school board voted to allow the Christian student-led clubs.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "We are pleased that this Ohio school district has agreed to abide by the law in granting equal access to school facilities to the Bible study and the Christian club. The law is clear that public schools cannot discriminate against the Christian viewpoint of student-led clubs. Equal access means equal treatment in terms of use of the facilities, ability to meet, and announcements about the clubs. Equal access is a simple concept. Public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints on otherwise permissible subject matters," said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.

Sri Lanka Bombings is a Wake-up Call to Protect Religious Freedom

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by: Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation

New York, NY - April 22, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Ohr Torah Stone's Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC) in Jerusalem wishes to express our sincerest condolences to the families of Sri Lanka who lost their loved ones in today's terrorist attacks that took the lives of more than 200 people and injured hundreds. Three Catholic churches were part of the targeted attacks while congregants were involved in prayer on one of Christianity's sacred days. Rabbi Kenneth Brander, President of Ohr Torah Stone, said that "the holiday of Passover reminds us of the need to speak out against affliction especially when targeted against religious groups on their holy days."

According to David Nekrutman, CJCUC's Executive Director, the coordinated bombings in Sri Lanka that included churches, hotels, and other sites, is the largest and deadliest attack to occur in one day against Christians in the 21st Century. "These acts of terrorism whether in Pittsburgh, ChristChurch or Sri Lanka should be a wake-up call for the international community to take steps to ensure the security of all wishing to express their faith without fear," remarked Nekrutman.

The CJCUC staff has been in communication with Catholic leaders and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Tel Aviv to express their solidarity of those who have been directly affected by this morning's tragedy. CJCUC will continue to monitor the situation and research the appropriate charities to help with the relief efforts in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa.

See More News about this:

Acting Secretary McAleenan Statement on Sri Lanka Attacks

Rep. Chip Roy On San Antonio City Council Reconsidering Banning Chick-fil-A From The Airport

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by: Chip Roy (R-TX, 21st)

Washington, D.C. - April 18, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) released the following statement Friday regarding the San Antonio City Council’s decision to reconsider banning Chick-fil-A from the San Antonio International Airport:

“I was pleased to see that San Antonio city councilman Greg Brockhouse is planning to motion to reconsider the city council’s previous decision to ban Chick-fil-A from the San Antonio International Airport.

As I wrote in a letter to members of the city council last month, targeting individuals, organizations, or corporations for carrying out their deeply-held religious beliefs in accord with our laws and consistent with many Americans’ similarly held religious beliefs is hardly making San Antonio a ‘champion of equality and inclusion.’

I hope the motion to reconsider results in a reversal of the council’s initial decision that I can only describe as discriminatory and bigoted.”

US Court Announces Ruling That Should Scare the Hell Out of Every American

Source: Daily News Briefing



Perhaps marking the beginning of the end of religious freedom in America, a federal court has denied a request by the area’s Catholic Archdiocese to force the DC Metro to take its Christmas advertisements.

Last week the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington DC denied the Catholic Church’s request essentially saying (for now, anyway) that the DC mass transit system had a right to deny the church’s advertisements because it was “too religious” and would “offend” some people, BizPacReview reported.

Naturally, church officials said that the denial is unconstitutional discrimination against its religious beliefs.

Read more about this at Your Daily News Briefing

Georgetown derecognition of pro-family student club would be hypocrisy

Source: Alliance Defending Freedom



Washington, D.C. - October 28, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer regarding calls for Georgetown University, “the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institute of higher learning in the United States,” to derecognize student organization Love Saxa, represented by the ADF Center for Academic Freedom, because the student group holds to Catholic and Jesuit views of marriage:

“To call for the derecognition of a student organization at a Catholic university because it holds to Catholic views on marriage is preposterous. Love Saxa’s opponents haven’t called for the dissolution of the LGBTQ Resource Center, for example, even though it holds to views that conflict with Georgetown’s prohibition on groups whose purpose or activities are ‘inconsistent with acceptable conduct at an American university committed to the Roman Catholic moral tradition,’ yet they have targeted Love Saxa for views wholly consistent with the Catholic faith. It’s not enough that many of those who don’t hold to conservative religious or political views are seeking to silence those with whom they disagree on public university campuses and elsewhere in the public square. Now they are even seeking to silence them at private, religious universities, which are unquestionably free to recognize student clubs that adhere to the universities’ own founding values. Georgetown should act consistently with its own Catholic identity and reject any request for Love Saxa to be derecognized.”

Pronunciation guide: Langhofer (LANG’-hoff-ur)

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.

Federal court to decide fate of Native American sacred site

Source: Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Members of the Klickitat and Cascade Tribes went to court this morning, asking for justice after the government needlessly bulldozed their sacred burial grounds for a highway widening project (watch video). Following years of failed negotiations in Slockish v. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the government refuses to return the Tribes’ sacred artifacts or allow the tribes to return and rededicate the site. Today in court, the tribes argued that enough is enough.

The highway project, begun in 2008, destroyed a sacred site located off Highway 26 near Mount Hood that included a stone altar, ancient burial grounds, a campground, and trees and medicine plants used for religious rituals. The tribes argued in court today that the Government could have widened the highway and simultaneously protected the sacred site by widening the opposite side of the road or using a retaining wall—as it did to protect nearby wetlands and a tattoo parlor.

“The government has been destroying sacred Native American land for far too long,” said Carol Logan, elder of the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde. “All we want is to practice our faith as our tribes have for centuries. We are hopeful that justice will be served and that our sacred spaces will at least be given the same protection as tattoo parlors.”

Native Americans have lived in the areas surrounding Mount Hood for centuries. It has been the center of tribal quests, spiritual rituals, and sacred burial ceremonies long before this nation was founded. In 2006 the Oregon Department of Transportation announced a project to expand U.S. Highway 26, which follows portions of a traditional Native American trading route from Portland to Mount Hood. Tribal members alerted officials to the importance of the burial grounds as tribal members had done prior to previous government expansion plans. Yet this time the government refused to listen and approved the project, which bulldozed the ancestral burial grounds. Although the government left the other side of the highway untouched, the highway expansion covered the Natives’ ancestral grave sites, destroyed sacred stone markers, and removed safe access to the sites.

The tribes are seeking justice under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the same law relied on by the Supreme Court to protect the Green family of Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor, to ensure that sacred places are respected for people of all faiths.

“The saddest thing about this case is that this destruction never had to happen. The government had numerous alternatives for widening the highway without harming the sacred site,” said Stephanie Barclay, counsel at Becket. “The court did not seem to take kindly to the government’s extreme argument that it can destroy Native American sacred spaces with impunity.”

Wilbur Slockish, Johnny Jackson, and Carol Logan are joined in their lawsuit by the Cascade Geographic Society and the Mount Hood Sacred Lands Preservation Alliance. They are represented by Becket, together with Seattle-based law firm Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch and Oregon City attorney James Nicita.

VICTORY: Kountze Cheerleaders Win at Texas Appeals Court

Source: First Liberty

Washington, D.C. - October 9, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- In yet another win and precedent for private speech protected by the First Amendment, the Texas Court of Appeals for the Ninth District last week ruled in favor of the Kountze, TX cheerleaders who were banned from including Bible verses on run-through banners at football games. The school district prohibited the banners after receiving a demand letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), and was also supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“This is another great victory for the free speech and religious liberty rights of all Texas students,” Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, stated in a press release. “Hopefully this ruling will bring clarity and closure to this issue for all Texas students and schools.”

“We are pleased that once again religious liberty is vindicated and that cheerleaders across the state of Texas have the right to have religious messages on banners at high school football games,” stated Hiram Sasser, General Counsel to First Liberty. “No school district should be able to censor, ban, or claim ownership of the private religious speech of its students.”

CHEERLEADERS PAINT VERSES ON BANNERS…AND THE FFRF TAKES NOTICE

The case began back in 2012, when cheerleaders in Kountze, Texas, decided to paint Bible verses on run-through banners for football games. The Wisconsin-based FFRF, however, caught wind of what the cheerleaders were doing and sent a letter to the school district. The Kountze ISD responded by banning the cheerleaders from painting the verses on the banners.

The cheerleaders decided to stand up for their religious freedom rights. First Liberty and volunteer attorney David Starnes filed a lawsuit on their behalf and won at the district court level.

At that point, the school district appealed, with the ACLU filing a brief in support of Kountze ISD. The school district decided to allow the banners, and the court of appeals declared the case moot. However, the school district still claimed the cheerleaders’ banners to be government speech subject to the school’s censorship.

First Liberty, with Starnes and Jim Ho of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, as lead counsel, appealed the mootness ruling to the Texas Supreme Court. First Liberty asked the Texas Supreme Court to review the case and reaffirm the cheerleaders’ rights.

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn filed an amicus brief in support of the cheerleaders, and so did Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

VICTORY FOR THE CHEERLEADERS

In January 2016, the Texas Supreme Court ruled  8-0 in favor of the cheerleaders and remanded the case back to the Ninth District. Then, on September 28, 2017, the Ninth District ruled completely in favor of the cheerleaders.

In his opinion, Justice Charles Kreger of the Ninth District wrote that “the Cheerleaders’ speech…is best characterized as the pure private speech of the students.”

“All these cheerleaders have ever wanted is the opportunity to cheer on their classmates with a message of their own choosing and their own faith,” David Starnes stated in the press release issued the same day as the ruling. “Today’s decision provides just that opportunity.”

The ruling also demonstrates the power of legal precedent. The opinion cited many precedents, including two First Liberty cases: Morgan v. Swanson (better known as the Plano “Candy Cane Case” ) and the case of Pounds v. Katy ISD.

In the “Candy Cane Case,” the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the religious freedom rights of elementary students banned by school officials from giving religiously-themed gifts at Christmastime. Justice Kreger included several quotes from Morgan v. Swanson in his analysis of the Kountze case.

STUDENTS HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AT SCHOOL

As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas wrote in his famous Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) opinion, “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

First Liberty Institute is committed to protecting religious freedom in the sphere of education and has successfully represented clients from elementary school to the university level. For more information about religious liberty in the public schools, download First Liberty’s free Religious Liberty Protection Kit for Students and Teachers.

Trump Instructs DOJ to Protect Religious Freedom

Source: Liberty Counsel

Washington, D.C. - October 9, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- The Trump administration strongly protected the free exercise of religion by reversing Obama-era policies with new legal guidance issued to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The Attorney General issued two memoranda. The first addressed to all administrative agencies and executive departments, identifies 20 key principles of religious liberty. The guidance reminds agencies of their obligations under federal law to protect religious liberty, and summarizes twenty key principles of religious-liberty protections that agencies can use in that effort. It explains that agencies should use these principles to protect religious liberty in all aspects of their work, including as employers, rule-makers, adjudicators, contract- and grant-makers and program administrators.

On specific policies, the guidance states that government may not exclude religious organizations from secular aid programs and the IRS may not enforce the Johnson Amendment which restricts tax-exempt organizations, including churches and religious organizations, from endorsing or opposing candidates for elected office.

Attorney Sessions’ second memorandum, addressed to DOJ components and United States Attorney’s offices, directs the implementation of that guidance within the Department.

The 20 key principles are:

1. The freedom of religion is a fundamental right of paramount importance, expressly protected by federal law.

2. The free exercise of religion includes the right to act or abstain from action in accordance with one's religious beliefs.

3. The freedom of religion extends to persons and organizations.

4. Americans do not give up their freedom of religion by participating in the marketplace, partaking of the public square, or interacting with government.

5. Government may not restrict acts or abstentions because of the beliefs they display.

6. Government may not target religious individuals or entities for special disabilities based on their religion.

7. Government may not target religious individuals or entities through discriminatory enforcement of neutral, generally applicable laws.

8. Government may not officially favor or disfavor particular religious groups.

9. Government may not interfere with the autonomy of a religious organization.

10. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 prohibits the federal government from substantially burdening any aspect of religious observance or practice, unless imposition of that burden on a particular religious adherent satisfies strict scrutiny.

11. RFRA's protection extends not just to individuals, but also to organizations, associations, and at least some for-profit corporations.

12. RFRA does not permit the federal government to second-guess the reasonableness of a
religious belief.

13. A governmental action substantially burdens an exercise of religion under RFRA if it bans an aspect of an adherent's religious observance or practice, compels an act inconsistent with that observance or practice, or substantially pressures the adherent to modify such observance or practice.

14. The strict scrutiny standard applicable to RFRA is exceptionally demanding.

15. RFRA applies even where a religious adherent seeks an exemption from a legal obligation requiring the adherent to confer benefits on third parties.

16. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, prohibits covered employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of their religion.

17. Title VIl's protection extends to discrimination on the basis of religious observance or practice as well as belief, unless the employer cannot reasonably accommodate such observance or practice without undue hardship on the business.

18. The Clinton Guidelines on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace provide useful examples for private employers of reasonable accommodations for religious observance and practice in the workplace.

19. Religious employers are entitled to employ only persons whose beliefs and conduct are consistent with the employers' religious precepts.

20. As a general matter, the federal government may not condition receipt of a federal grant or contract on the effective relinquishment of a religious organization’s exemptions or attributes of its religious character.

The DOJ earlier this year demonstrated a shift in policy from the Obama administration as it commented on Zarda v. Altitude Express at the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals, which contends that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans gender discrimination, but does not include sexual orientation or gender identity, in the workplace. The guidance today demonstrates further that the DOJ recognizes that religious liberty principles are in fact stalwart even when challenged by special interest groups.

“We commend President Trump for instructing Attorney General Jeff Sessions to send a strong message to the rest of America that religious freedom must be protected,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “The President has reversed the Obama-era policies and committed to protecting and promoting the religious freedom upon which this nation was founded. The Department of Justice must now vigorously enforce all Americans’ civil right of free exercise of religious liberty. This is an extremely positive step in the right direction,” said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.

Pennsylvania Pastors Network Leader Says Lehigh County Must Stand for Constitutional Law After Judge Rules Cross Must Be Removed from Seal

Source: American Pastors Network

Washington, D.C. - October 8, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- A federal judge last week ruled that a cross must be removed from the Lehigh County seal in Pennsylvania because it is violates the U.S. Constitution, reported Fox News and several other outlets.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed the suit on behalf on four Pennsylvania residents, who claimed the cross was offensive. According to Fox News, U.S. District Judge Edward Smith “made it known in his ruling that he was not happy about the decision he had to make but was following the rule of constitutional law, including the establishment clause, which states that Congress may not pass any laws establishing a religion.”

“It is obvious to me that Judge Smith failed to recognize the truth of the United States Constitution and the historical background of our nation and Lehigh County,” said Gary Dull, executive director of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net), a state chapter of the American Pastors Network. “The First Amendment of the Constitution states that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…’ Having a cross in the center of the Lehigh County seal is not in any way ‘establishing’ a religion by county founders, leaders or citizens. Therefore, the opinion of Judge Smith is unconstitutional in that it both prohibits the free exercise of people of faith who historically were and are a part of the county and also fails to recognize the Judeo-Christian heritage upon which our nation, of which Lehigh County is a part, was founded.

“In his own statement, the judge said that ‘the court does not believe the current state of law applicable to this case comports with the text of the Establishment Clause,’ and so in the mind of any sensible person, that ends the argument,” added Dull, who is the senior pastor at Faith Baptist Church of Altoona in Blair County. “For the judge to then rule in favor of the plaintiffs is an act of twisting the wording of the First Amendment in an effort to make it say what it does not according to original intent. The citizens of Lehigh County, whether they are religious or not, must stand up for constitutional law if indeed the integrity of the court system is to remain in compliance with the law of the land. America is a nation of law based upon a Constitution that has lasted for nearly two and half centuries and is not based on the whims and opinions of individual citizens. The best thing any judge or citizen can do to maintain the strength of our country is to follow the law of the Constitution, interpret it accordingly and refuse to allow personal opinion, politics, philosophy, desire or pressure from those who oppose the basic principles of our nation to take away from what America has been about from the time of its founding.”

Judge Smith wrote in his ruling that “While the court does not believe the current state of the law applicable to this case comports with the text of the Establishment Clause, the court is not in a position to reject it. The law, as it currently stands, requires that the court rule in favor of the plaintiffs: the inclusion of the cross lacked a secular purpose both when the defendant adopted the seal and when the defendant refused to remove the cross from the seal, and a reasonable observer would perceive the seal as endorsing Christianity.”

Lehigh County will now have to redesign the seal, in use since 1944, which includes a Latin cross near the center, as well as a heart, bison, silos and other imagery. The seal appears on flags, buildings, letterhead and legal documents, as well as the county website.

First Liberty Institute Praises New Exemptions to Contraceptive Mandate, DOJ Guidance on Religious Liberty

Source: First Liberty Institute

Plano, TX - October 7, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Trump administration announced two significant policy positions that will protect the religious liberty of all Americans—critical protections that will immediately benefit First Liberty Institute’s clients and aid many others.

Thanks to a new interim final rule announced by the Trump administration, clients of First Liberty are now exempt from the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate, which forced businesses, ministries, and other non-profit organizations to reject their religious beliefs and moral convictions or violate the law.

Jeremy Dys, Deputy General Counsel for First Liberty, issued the following statement regarding the HHS interim final rule:

“The new rule is a huge win for business and ministry leaders who, since 2013, have been fighting the government’s disregard for their religious beliefs and moral convictions. Now, they can lead their organizations in good conscience without choosing between their convictions and obeying law.”

In July, First Liberty attorneys held an in-person, on-the-record meeting with officials from the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Labor, and Health and Human Services—agencies tasked with reviewing the rules related to the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. (Read First Liberty’s letter on behalf of its clients to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney by clicking here.)

The Department of Justice also announced new religious liberty guidelines that build upon critical protections for religious liberty set down in the Clinton administration. The following statement may be attributed to Hiram Sasser, General Counsel for First Liberty:

“Our country has a long history of protecting religious liberty. This guidance is part of a tradition of administrations helping to educate the public and officials regarding the laws that protect religious liberty, such as President Clinton’s pioneering guidance protecting religious liberty in public schools. Further, our nation has a longstanding bi-partisan commitment to religious liberty as evidenced by Senator Ted Kennedy’s passionate advocacy for the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). We welcome President Trump’s commitment to continue this legacy of protecting religious liberty.”

FRC Applauds DOJ Guidance Protecting Religious Freedom, Exempting from Oppressive HHS Mandate

Source: Family Research Council

Washington, D.C. - October 7, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Family Research Council applauded two major actions by the Trump administration that safeguard religious freedom. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is directing federal agencies to respect religious freedom while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is exempting religious entities from the oppressive Obama contraceptive mandate.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

“After eight years of the federal government’s relentless assault on the First Amendment, the Trump administration has taken concrete steps today that will once again erect a bulwark of protection around American’s First Freedom – religious freedom.

“President Trump is demonstrating his commitment to undoing the anti-faith policies of the previous administration and restoring true religious freedom. Last May, the president ordered the federal government to vigorously promote and protect religious liberty –and now the DOJ and HHS are moving to make that order a reality.

“Under the Obama administration, agencies lost the understanding that religious freedoms extend to the public square, not just one’s place of worship. As a result, our own government began threatening hardworking, patriotic Americans with crushing fines for simply seeking to live their lives according to their faith.

“President Trump and the Department of Justice are putting federal government agencies on notice: you will not only respect the freedom of every American to believe but live according to those beliefs. This is a freedom that has been a fundamental part of our society since the beginning of our nation.

“To aid the Trump administration’s efforts in vigorously promoting and protecting religious liberty, Family Research Council today is launching a web hotline for those who believe that they have suffered discrimination at the hands of federal agencies based on their religious beliefs or practices. The ‘Free to Believe’ hotline will help ensure that no federal employee, contractor or citizen will be forced to choose between their faith and equal treatment by the federal government.

"As President Trump continues to follow through on his promises on these core issues, he will continue to have the support of social conservatives on his policy initiatives,” concluded Perkins.

Implications of new HHS Rule on Little Sisters of the Poor lawsuit

Source: Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

Washington, D.C. - October 7, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- A new HHS mandate announced moments ago now provides an exemption for religious groups, including the Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious charities, while maintaining the existing federal contraceptive mandate for most employers. The interim rule aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling last year in Zubik v. Burwell that the government cannot fine the religious groups for following their faith.

There will be a press call at noon EST today to discuss the new rule and what it means for the Little Sisters’ ongoing lawsuit.

The following statement may be attributed to Mark Rienzi, senior counsel at Becket and lead attorney for the Little Sisters of the Poor: “HHS has issued a balanced rule that respects all sides– it keeps the contraceptive mandate in place for most employers and now provides a religious exemption. The Little Sisters still need to get final relief in court, which should be easy now that the government admits it broke the law.”

Religious Liberty is the Cornerstone of All Other Human Freedoms

Source: House Representative Trent Franks (R-AR, 8th)



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In response to a report by the National Review that Senate Democrats were counting judicial nominees’ orthodox Christian faith against them during confirmation hearings, Congressman Trent Franks released the following statement:

“Article VI of our Constitution makes it crystal clear that ‘no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.’

“It is breathtaking that Senate Democrats are counting individuals’ orthodox Christian faiths as a demerit when evaluating them for official posts. By interrogating Amy Coney Bennett about her Catholic faith, they are arrogantly abrogating their oath of office to the United States Constitution.”

“Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights.’ Jefferson knew that religious liberty is the cornerstone of all other human freedoms, thus religious liberty became the first freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

“America’s religious diversity and religious freedom have motivated charitable groups from all denominations to selflessly served their fellow human beings -- establishing hospitals, operating homeless shelters, providing counseling services and running agencies for adoption and foster care. More than that, religious institutions provide essential meaning and happiness to their members along with the attending stability that blesses our entire society.

“If America loses her unequivocal commitment to religious freedom, we will face a dark future.”

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Rules in Favor of Invocations before Jackson County Board of Commissioners Meetings

Source: First Liberty

The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit sitting en banc affirmed the decision of a federal district court judge and ruled today that the Board of Commissioners in Jackson County, Michigan—represented by First Liberty Institute—may open its meetings with invocations. The commissioners offer invocations on a rotating basis and are free to act according to their own consciences by delivering either an invocation or offering a moment of silence.

"Today's decision further solidifies what the U.S. Supreme Court has now twice said: Invocations before government meetings are constitutional and an important part of our nation's history and heritage," said Ken Klukowski, Senior Counsel at First Liberty.

In Marsh v. Chambers (1983) and Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014), the U.S. Supreme Court found invocations before government meetings to be fully consistent with the Constitution and an important part of America's history and heritage.

First Liberty also represents the commissioners of Rowan County, North Carolina (Lund v. Rowan County), whose case was heard en banc in March 2017 before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In July, the Fourth Circuit ruled against the Rowan County commissioners in a split 10-5 vote. First Liberty is currently considering an appeal of the Rowan County decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Click here to learn more...

First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.

FREEDOM TO PRAY ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS

Source: Joni and Friends



Long Beach, CA - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Freedom to Pray, a nonprofit organization advocating for the participation in prayer groups through free prayer calls, is encouraging individuals of all faiths to unite on Sunday, Sept. 3, for the National Day of Prayer for Hurricane Harvey victims as declared by President Trump.

“The widespread devastation experienced by the people of Texas won’t be solved in days or weeks or months. This recovery will be long and arduous,” said David Butts, president of Harvest Prayer Ministries and chairman of the National Day of Prayer Board of Directors. “The one thing we can all do in times of crisis is pray. As God’s children, we have the right to freely bring the urgent needs of Hurricane Harvey survivors before Him. Let us unite this Sunday, America. Let us lay aside our differences and lift up the people of Texas in prayer.”

Freedom to Pray is calling its supporters, churches and congregations to come together in prayer for the Hurricane Harvey victims and their families this Sunday. The National Day of Prayer for Hurricane Harvey Victims, as declared by President Trump, follows other historic presidential prayer declarations dating back to President Lincoln. Most recently, President George W. Bush proclaimed Friday September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.

Freedom to Pray asks individuals to join us as we pray for:

Flood waters to recede;

Individuals mourning the loss of loved ones;

Those suffering from extreme physical loss of property;

The volunteers and brave first responders working around the clock to ensure individuals are safe; and

The unity of this community and our nation as we support – through financial gifts, volunteerism and prayer – the victims of Harvey.

“Prayer has the ability to help us persevere and see love through a lens of devastation,” said Butts. “We have seen the power of prayer and know, most of all, it can bring healing to all the people suffering in the wake of Harvey.”

Freedom to Pray is a nonprofit advocating on behalf of individuals who are being forced to end their participation in prayer groups through free conference lines due to T-Mobile’s $0.01 per minute fee, as explained here. For additional information, visit FreedomtoPray.org.

Jewish Woman Fired for Observing Passover

Source: Beckett

Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- An Orthodox Jewish woman who was fired from her job at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for observing Passover is asking the nation’s highest court to hear her case. Last month, in Abeles v. Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Susan Abeles appealed to the Supreme Court to hold her former employer accountable for unjustly firing her from her job of 26 years for observing the first two and last two days of Passover. A ruling from the high court could protect the right of all religious federal employees to live their faith without fear of losing their jobs.

Susan Abeles was a statistician at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the government agency that operates both Reagan National and Dulles International Airports, for 26 years. She observed Passover every year without incident until 2013, when she was punished and forced to retire despite following leave protocol. Today, Becket and Jews for Religious Liberty, an association of Jewish lawyers and rabbis, filed a friend–of-the-court brief asking the Supreme Court to hear Ms. Abeles’ case, arguing that the lower court decision “will inhibit Jewish religious exercise within the federal workplace and could easily result in a de facto government hiring ban on Orthodox Jews.”

“Talk about chutzpah,” said Eric Rassbach, deputy general counsel at Becket, a non-profit religious liberty law firm. “The Airports Authority says it was okay to fire Ms. Abeles for observing Passover because it hasn’t said anything openly anti-Semitic. If that becomes the rule, then federal agencies will have a license to terminate all of their religious employees, as long as they are careful to hide their tracks. Even Pharaoh honestly admitted that he was discriminating against Jews.”

Jewish religious law prohibits work during the first two and last two days of Passover. Millions of Orthodox Jews like Ms. Abeles have observed this important holiday for thousands of years. Despite following the MWAA’s leave policy for decades, Ms. Abeles was accused of not following protocol and forced into retirement in 2013. She sued the MWAA, which claims it is exempt from both the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Virginia religious freedom laws, giving it free rein to avoid all anti-discrimination laws. In July 2017 Ms. Abeles, asked the Supreme Court to hear her case.

“The Airports Authority claiming to be above the law adds insult to injury,” said Rassbach. “The Supreme Court should take this case to ensure that people of all faiths can observe their deeply held beliefs in the federal workplace without facing discrimination or being forced out of their jobs.”

Ms. Abeles is represented by Nathan Lewin of Lewin & Lewin.

Satanist controversy may lead to ban on all displays at Boca park

Boca Raton:News

hey say the devil has all the good music — but he might have one less venue for his dark arts this holiday season.

Boca Raton plans to discontinue a policy that allowed religious displays at Sanborn Square Park each December, including the 10-foot, 300-pound pentagram (a satanic symbol) that made waves in the community last year.

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Appellate Court Prohibits Legislative Meetings from Opening with Invocation by Government Officials

Washington, D.C. - July 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit decided 10-5 to prohibit First Liberty Institute clients, Rowan County, NC, Commissioners, from opening commission meetings with an invocation by government officials. This decision comes three years after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that legislative meetings may open with a prayer given by local religious leaders even if all the prayer givers are of the same faith.

“While we are disappointed in the Fourth Circuit’s decision to ban invocations before legislative meetings contrary to Supreme Court precedent, we are encouraged that the split in the vote on the Fourth Circuit demonstrates the need for Supreme Court review on this issue,” said Mike Berry, Deputy General Counsel for First Liberty Institute.

First Liberty Institute is one of the law firms representing Rowan County in this matter and is also representing Jackson County, Michigan in a similar matter that is currently pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.