President Donald Trump repeated a campaign pledge at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday to “totally destroy” the Johnson Amendment, which prevents churches and other non-profit organizations from voicing support for or opposing political candidates.
The measure was introduced by then Senate Minority Leader Lyndon Johnson in 1954, when he was up for re-election and a conservative non-profit group had come out in support of his primary opponent.
Trump accurately stated at the Republican National Convention in July that the penalty for violating the Johnson Amendment for churches and other non-profits is the loss of their tax-exempt status.
Trump argued that evangelical and other religious communities “have much to contribute to our politics, yet our laws prevent you from speaking your minds from your own pulpits.”
“I am going to work very hard to repeal that language and to protect free speech for all Americans,” he added.
.@PressSec: “@POTUS & @VP both understand that one of the things that makes our country… so great is our ability to express our religion.” pic.twitter.com/lyP2Gx8Ivp
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 2, 2017
Legislation was introduced in both the House and the Senate this week to repeal the Johnson Amendment, the Hill reported.
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