Political Quotes

“I want to make very clear that my amendment says not one single thing about discrimination. It talks about religious freedom. We treat religious freedom sometimes in this country like it is a secondary right. It is not. It is a fundamental right. And what my amendment does is make sure that people of religious conscience still have that freedom. So, far from being discrimination, it makes sure that we have freedoms for people that they have had for over 200 years; under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, for over 50 years; under the Americans with Disabilities Act, for over 25 years; and under RFRA, for over 20 years. This is not new. This is not novel. This is settled law. We are making sure we protect people here. This has nothing to do with discrimination. I know that some people would like to wipe out the effect of church, the effect of religion, the effect of faith in the public square in America. But that is not what our Constitution is about, and I think this House should stand up for religious freedom for everybody. So I ask that everybody in this House vote for this very important amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.”