Trump Wants More Campaign Cash

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) says Republican tax reform planned for this year will include repeal of the Johnson Amendment, the 1954 law that bans churches, religious institutions, faith-based organizations,Â and many non-profits from endorsing or publicly opposing political candidates. Repeal of the law, which was re-affirmed under President Ronald Reagan, was a campaign promise to evangelical Christian conservatives from PresidentÂ Donald Trump, who has said he will “get rid of and totally destroy“Â it.

“Places of worship across America need to be free to practice their faith without worrying about Washington or the IRS targeting their religious freedom,” Congressman Brady, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, told conservative activists Friday at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Convention. The Hill reports he was cheered. “So in our Republican tax reform, we’re going to repeal the damaging effects of the Johnson Amendment once and for all.”

The religious right for years has wanted the law repealed, falsely claiming it’s a First Amendment violation of the rights of pastors to speak. They have continually falsely claimed it bans them from delivering their message to their flocks. Some have falsely called it part of “an agenda to silence Christians,” to “muzzle pastors,” and claim it “threatens churches’ freedoms.”

Contrary to what the religious right would like AmericaÂ to believeÂ the Johnson Amendment does not stop anyone from advocating for or against a particular issue. Pastors and priests and all faith leaders are absolutely allowed to guide their followers down whatever path they like. Legally they can preach against abortion and same-sex marriage, should they wish. They can preach for or against marijuana legalization and gambling. What they cannot do is endorse or oppose a political candidate.

Violating the Johnson Amendment could lead to the IRS revoking their tax-exempt status. NCRM was unable to find any instance of the IRS doing so because of the Johnson Amendment.

Meanwhile, Americans today pay over $80 billion in extra taxes to make up for the shortfall caused by religious non-profits that are tax-exempt. That’s hundreds of dollars per person to subsidize religious institutions.Â

Yet far right wing groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom are at the forefront of the movement to force Americans to continue to carry the load for religious institutionsÂ while working to allow even more money in politics.

President Trump wants the law repealed so his supporters can donate money to churches, and those churches can turn around and endorse his re-election, and donate those tax-deductible funds to his campaign.

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Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license