AMAC Supports Bill to Repeal Johnson Amendment, Restore Free Speech for Religious Leaders

For over 65 years, the Johnson Amendment prevented free speech in faith communities and other 501(c)3 organizations under the threat of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) retribution. AMAC salutes Congressman Scalise’s efforts to ensure that the First Amendment applies to all Americans, regardless of the jobs they hold.

March 23, 2021

The Honorable Steve Scalise
Louisiana 1st Congressional District
2049 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Scalise,

On behalf of the over 2.3 million members of AMAC – the Association of Mature American Citizens – I write to offer our support for H.R. 837, the Free Speech Fairness Act.

There was a time when censorship of free speech in America would be unthinkable, yet today we are seeing its oppression routinely, most glaringly on social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Equally frustrating for AMAC members are the restrictions placed on free speech and opinions expressed by the trusted leaders in the respective houses of worship that they regularly attend.

H.R. 837 seeks to repeal the Johnson Amendment’s censorship of 501(c)3 employees, including religious leaders, and restore their First Amendment rights. This is long overdue.

For over 65 years, the Johnson Amendment prevented free speech in faith communities and other 501(c)3 organizations under the threat of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) retribution. The fear of costly IRS audits, fines, and the loss of tax-exempt status ensured compliance for this archaic and woefully outdated encroachment on free speech as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Thank you, Congressman Scalise, and your many cosponsors, for recognizing that no one should ever be restricted from speaking freely about any issue simply because of the job they hold. As an organization that reveres the Constitution as the greatest document ever conceived by mankind, AMAC salutes your efforts and is pleased to offer our organization’s full support for H.R. 837, the Free Speech Fairness Act.

Sincerely,

Bob Carlstrom
President
AMAC Action