Email from Childrens Health Defense Bring Religious Vaccine Exemptions Back to All 50 States!     On July 24, Senator Mike Lee introduced the GRACE Act (Guaranteeing Religious Accommodation in Childhood Education Act), which would block federal funding of schools that refuse religious exemptions to vaccinations. The GRACE Act, co-sponsored by Senator Tommy Tuberville, was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2025 by Congressman Greg Steube. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993 requires the federal government to deny funds to states or institutions where religious discrimination is occurring. By cutting federal education funds to states that deny citizens the right to a religious vaccine exemption, the GRACE Act ensures that states planning such actions will need to choose between honoring religious liberty or being denied federal funding. The GRACE Act would also prevent schools from requiring documentation from students to justify receiving a religious exemption to vaccination. According to Senator Lee, “Schools are discriminating against religious kids and targeting their families over vaccine exemptions. Keeping a kindergartner out of class over a vaccine is cruel – and it’s unconstitutional when the reason is their family’s religion.” This is not only an issue of religious freedom, but also of parental rights and the right to an education. Children should not be barred from attending school because of their parents’ sincerely held religious beliefs. Four states have eliminated the religious exemption and it’s being threatened in other state legislatures around the country. Take Action Now Discrimination by denying religious vaccine exemptions is occurring in public, private and faith-based schools. It is also denying children the right to access extracurricular activities, special education services and summer camps. The GRACE Act will not require any state to have a religious exemption, but it will cut federal education funding to any state that denies its citizens the right to a religious exemption to vaccination. Why is the GRACE Act Needed? States do not have the right to trample on religious liberty which is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.  The GRACE Act is completely in line with federal law and the Constitution.  If it is passed into law, it would be unthinkable for the Supreme Court to overturn a law codifying the free exercise of religion.  Religious liberty is guaranteed at the federal level, setting a legal floor that all states must recognize.  Religious protection supersedes state health policy as a matter of law at the federal level and in all states.  States have the right to pass health laws as they see fit, but not in violation of religious protection.   There must be a balance between religious liberty and public health law, not a dominance of health law stomping out religious liberty. There is significant momentum to end this form of discrimination and the time to act is now. Contact your federal lawmakers today and urge that they support the GRACE Act! Email Your Representative Now In solidarity, The Children’s Health Defense Team     You Make It Possible Children’s Health Defense depends on generous donations from our community. Large or small, every donation gets us closer to achieving our goals. Donate Now Children’s Health Defense® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to restore and protect the health of children by eliminating exposures to environmental toxins, holding responsible parties accountable, and establishing safeguards to prevent future harm to children's health. ChildrensHealthDefense.org | Contact Us | Work for CHD FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 852 Franklin Ave Suite 511 | Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice