In response to the Department of Labor’s Request for Information at 90 FR 57217, the Center submitted a comment letter focused on how the Department of Labor should clarify regulatory language to ensure that faith-based organizations are able to participate as service providers through the Department’s various funding programs without compromising their religious freedom. Most critically, the comment letter encourages the Department to consider how language seeking to prevent religious coercion of beneficiaries (a good goal) can be overread in such a way that it hinders the autonomy and governance of religious organizations. The Supreme Court’s case law does not require rigid separation. In fact, it encourages religious organizations and individuals to both be religious and participate in government programs—without having to set aside their religious identity or all religious expression. The Center’s comment letter encourages the government to bring more clarity to the regulatory language, protecting the rights of both beneficiaries and service providers and enabling the greatest possible impact for government programs and resources.
