MICHAEL BENNET OPPOSES THE FIRST AMENDMENT DEFENSE ACT

DENVER, CO- Sen. Michael Bennet announced his disapproval of the First Amendment Defense Act, a bill that aims to legalize anti-LGBTQ discrimination based on religious beliefs. The First Amendment Defense Act will ultimately bar the federal government from discussion related to this issue.

 

Earlier this week, Sen, Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-ID), reintroduced legislation in the U.S House of Representatives (H.R. 2802) and in the U.S. Senate (S. 1598) that aims to promote and simplify protections of religious liberty outlined in federal laws, by defending individuals and institutions that promote traditional marriage from government intervention.

Sen. Bennet has been a supporter of marriage equality for years and plans to continue to achieve equal protections for the LGBTQ community. He believes no one should be discriminated against because of who they are, or whom they love. 

 

“The First Amendment Defense Act is unnecessary and creates unprecedented taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT people, single mothers, and unmarried couples,” Bennet said. “Employers, businesses, landlords, and healthcare providers would be able to treat members of our community differently based on how they choose to love long as they claim to be motivated by a firmly held religious belief.”

 

In opposition, 2016 Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn has yet to comment on his stance to the First Amendment Defense Act, or any stance relating to religious liberties throughout his campaign.

 

“I urge my colleagues in the Congress to pass measures that ensure that, just as in Colorado, LGBTQ citizens are respected and treated equally in the workplace," Bennet said. “No person deserves to be treated unfairly based on the way they identify their marital status.”  

 

Similar bills were introduced in the 113th Congress in 2014-2015 as H.R. 3133 and S. 1808. For more information about Sen. Bennet’s stance on the First Amendment Defense Act, visit our campaign website at bennetforcolorado.com

 

 

###