Senator Lankford Statement on Rule to Ensure Faith-Based Organizations Can Partner with the Federal Government

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement after the US Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced plans to clarify the civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government.

“This is an important clarification that is needed for Americans and faith-based organizations who exercise their constitutional right to live their faith when contracting with the federal government,” said Lankford. “Faith based-entities provide vital work in our communities and much of their work is targeted towards helping the most vulnerable in our society. I thank the Administration for clarifying this very important rule to ensure faith-based entities, with sincerely held religious beliefs, have the ability to hire people that share their faith mission and carry out their work consistent with that faith mission even if they are awarded a federal contract.”

Two years ago, the Supreme Court affirmed 7-2 in the Trinity Lutheran case that all organizations, whether religiously based or not, are constitutionally guaranteed the same right and opportunity to participate with the government. Today’s rule from the Labor Department is wholly in line with that decision. 

Lankford is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

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