Virginia Foxx: “as we consider the rule, I want to speak on some important amendments that are going to come up to provide important…”

“as we consider the rule, I want to speak on some important amendments that are going to come up to provide important protections for religious organizations. If we do not insert these important protections for these organizations, we will be dictating to them whom they can or cannot hire. We must maintain the integrity of religious entities. The Constitution of the United States explicitly states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Not allowing our churches, mosques, and synagogues to hire people of like mind and similar beliefs is not only an affront to their very core but contrary to this great Nation's Constitution. I am proud to be an American for so many reasons, first among them because I am able to think, speak, and believe whatever I want freely, as stated in the first amendment to our Constitution. Denying religious organizations the ability to hire an employee because of his or her beliefs is to take away that employee's right to think, speak, and believe as he or she so chooses. We are not talking about allowing religious organizations to brainwash children to think as they do. We are talking about allowing religious organizations simply to be able to provide the same services and programs as nonreligious organizations. Our children deserve the very best education; and if a religious organization is going to provide that education better, then we must not stand in the way.…”