Press Release - Carter Votes To Protect Religious Freedom

CARTER VOTES TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Washington, DC, Sep 26 - U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31) today supported House passage of the Public Expression of Religion Act (PERA) that will allow Americans to defend the symbols and expressions of our nation's rich religious heritage. Specifically, HR 2679 would prevent groups from using the legal system to coerce state and local governments into removing references to religion in public places by prohibiting the award of monetary damages and/or attorneys' fees to prevailing parties in certain cases.

"This bill is critical to ensuring that the right to freedom of religion is protected," Congressman Carter said. "Groups and individuals are manipulating current law in order to force state and local governments to remove constitutionally protected displays of religion and discriminate against groups with religious affiliations. Clearly this disgraceful practice is contrary to the intent of the First Amendment, which was to prevent government from penalizing people for their religious beliefs. I will continue to support initiatives that defend the constitutional right to religious expression."

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http://carter.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=50815