The Weekly Standard’s John McCormack just asked major Democrats in the Senate whether or not they thought religious schools who require their employees to affirm the school’s faith tenets on marriage should have their tax status revoked.
Their reactions were not reassuring:
Sen. Richard Durbin told him they would be looking at a variety of laws to implement the Court’s ruling, but as to religious schools’ right to hire teachers who affirm their faith? “I don’t have a quick answer for you. I’ll have to think hard and long about that.”
Bernie Sanders said probably not: “I don’t know that I would go there.”
Maryland’s Sen. Ben Cardin was at least open to the idea: “Employment is subject to protections. I’m not sure how it applies to Christian-run schools.”
Only Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who is gay and proud, said immediately, “That is wrong and shouldn’t occur.” Kudos to her.
But who will ask Hillary what she thinks? Will any of them vote for legislation like the First Amendment Defense Act, which protects government employees from being fired for their marriage views and preserves the tax-exempt status of schools and charities?
UPDATE: Rick Santorum just tweeted this:
The wavering is beginning. Time to force a vote on FADA #freetobelieve https://t.co/RbL8ew7359
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) July 9, 2015
UPDATE: Thanks Erick Erickson for the Tweet!
Senate Democrats aren't sure whether religious schools should keep their tax-exempt status. https://t.co/cvlHygiLje
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) July 9, 2015
Maggie Gallagher is a senior fellow at American Principles in Action.
