1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act of 2017 . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The free exercise of religion is an inalienable right, protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. (2) Congress reaffirmed this right in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, as amended in 1998, which prohibits the Federal Government from imposing a substantial burden on the free exercise of religion unless it demonstrates that a compelling government interest is achieved by the least restrictive means. (3) Many people immigrated to America (including members of the Quaker, Mennonite, and Church of the Brethren faiths) to escape persecution for their refusal to participate in warfare, yet during the First World War hundreds of conscientious objectors were imprisoned in America for their beliefs. Some died while incarcerated as a result of mistreatment. (4) During the Second World War, alternative civilian service was established in lieu of military service, by the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, to accommodate a wide spectrum of religious beliefs and practices. Subsequent case law also has expanded these exemptions, and has described this policy as one of … long standing tradition in this country … affording the important value of reconciling individuality of belief with practical exigencies whenever possible. It dates back to colonial times and has been perpetuated in State and Federal conscription statutes , and has roots deeply embedded in history (Welsh v. United States, 1970, Justice Harlan concurring). During and since the Second World War thousands of conscientious objectors provided essential staff for mental hospitals and volunteered as human test subjects for arduous medical experiments, and provided other service for the national health, safety and interest. (5) Conscientious objectors have sought alternative service for their tax payments since that time. They request legal relief from government seizure of their homes,