A northern Illinois Congressman is co-sponsoring a bill to prevent the federal government from discriminating against individuals and groups with religious objections to same-sex marriage. 14th District Congressman Randy Hultgren says the First Amendment Defense Act is a response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. He’s concerned that those who believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman might themselves become victims of discrimination.
“It’s a bill simply to protect the free exercise of religion without taking anything away from anyone. So, again recognizing that we need to be able to express our beliefs freely, and not expect consequences from the federal government.”
The Act would prohibit discrimination against any group or person who holds such beliefs. So the federal government could not deny a tax exemption, grant, contract, or license to them.
Hultgren says the Act does not prevent the federal government from providing services or benefits to same-sex couples, and doesn’t authorize anyone in the government to discriminate against them.
