Church Electioneering Bill Gains Opposition - November 17, 2003 Vol.4 No.23

November 17, 2003 Vol.4 No.23:

Published: 11/17/2003

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Church Electioneering Bill Gains Opposition

Opposition grows to church electioneering bill.

Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to all members of the House of Representatives last month urging them to withdraw their names as co-sponsors to H.R. 235, the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act. Edwards, like many others, fear that H.R. 235 would turn the sanctuaries and pulpits of America’s houses of worship into partisan political rally halls, soft money conduits, and a vehicle for tax-deductible donations for candidates. Edwards’ action prompted a host of civil rights and religious organizations to also write letters to their members of Congress. See OMB Watch’s fact sheet on H.R. 235 for information on the bill and who supports and opposes it.