First Amendment Defense Act

This bill would create a sweeping religious exemption, allowing even taxpayer-funded organizations and government employees to engage in discrimination against same-sex couples and unmarried couples. The bill would “prevent any federal agency from denying a tax exemption, grant, contract, license, or certification to an individual, association, or business based on that entity’s belief that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, or that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.”

Bill Status: Died at the end of the 2015-2016 federal legislative session

Read the text of the House and Senate versions of this bill.

Talking Points

Read about why you should oppose the First Amendment Defense Act

Statements For The Record And Letters

Americans United's Testimony Opposing HR 2802

Coalition Letter Urging Cancellation of FADA Hearing

Blog Posts

FRC’s FADA Fade Away

Bogus Defense: U.S. House Holds Hearing On Bill That Would Violate First Amendment and Harm LGBT Persons

Not One, But Three: All Versions Of FADA Sanction Discrimination In The Name Of "Religious Liberty"

Congress Should Learn From FADA Backlash in the States