Attorney General Ken Paxton today issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive order promoting free speech and religious liberty:
“Recently, Governor Abbott and I called on Congress to pass the Free Speech Fairness Act. That legislation will fully restore the freedom of churches to participate in political debates by removing a 60 year old provision of the IRS code – the Johnson Amendment – which threatens churches with the loss of their tax-exempt status if they take a stand on legislation or candidates. Today’s executive order by President Trump is an important first step to protect our country’s first liberty – religious liberty. By enacting the Free Speech Fairness Act (H.R. 781 and S. 264), we can guarantee that the voices of churches and people of faith reclaim their rightful place in our democracy.”
Read about the letter from Gov. Abbott and AG Paxton to congressional leaders.