Dear Friend,

A new bill in the House of Representatives would use the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to allow religious exemptions to the White House's new vaccine requirements for federal employees, many healthcare workers, and employees at large companies. This is the latest effort by legislators and the courts to misapply RFRA in ways that contradict the original intent of the law. At this stage in the pandemic, and given the degree of vaccine avoidance we have seen nationally, allowing religious exemptions would not only burden employers who must evaluate them but more importantly, it would slow the fight against a disease that has killed over 700,000 Americans. 

The science says the COVID vaccines are safe and effective. Moreover, most of the people covered by the White House requirements have the option of getting tested weekly instead of getting vaccinated. This bill would use religion to give people a new excuse to avoid getting vaccinated. 
 
The bill’s sponsor, Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) says, “This legislation is not about the validity of the vaccine, but rather addressing gross government overreach and ways to prevent it in the future.” So, the vaccines work but you can use religious beliefs to avoid getting one.

Tell your Member of Congress that it is absolutely the role of the federal government to take the necessary steps to end a pandemic, and that RFRA cannot and should not be used to allow religious exemptions that would prolong this pandemic. 

After that, go to our Action Alert for the Do No Harm Act which would clarify the original intent of RFRA and prevent exactly this sort of effort to misuse the religious protections RFRA provides. Tell your Members of Congress to support the Do No Harm Act as well.