The U.S. Supreme Court today decided to hear several cases involving the free exercise of religion, including Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged, Denver Colorado, et al. v. Burwell and Houston Baptist University, East Texas Baptist University and Westminster Theological Seminary v. Burwell. The State of Texas filed amicus briefs in these cases earlier this year.

“These important cases before the Supreme Court underscore the need for us to stand strong in the face of continued assaults on religious liberties in our nation,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “No citizen should be forced by the federal government to comply with mandates that violate their conscience, or pay fines just for living in accordance with their beliefs. We hope the Court will reaffirm our rights and protect the free exercise of religion from government intrusion.”

Attorney General Paxton filed amicus briefs on behalf of 20 states in Little Sisters v. Burwell on August 24 and in Houston Baptist University v. Burwell on August 10 along with 15 other states.