The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Matt Bowman, director of regulatory practice, regarding a petition ADF sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Monday encouraging it to correct elements of religious discrimination leftover from previous administrations in the agency’s rural development programs:
“Religious organizations and churches in rural America deserve equal access to federal programs, and the First Amendment protects this fundamental right. Prior administrations enacted certain U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations that exclude faith-based organizations just because they engage in religious activities. We’re thankful to Secretary Rollins for her public commitment to religious liberty and we hope our petition will help the USDA correct discriminatory rules and ensure all its programs are operated consistent with religious liberty and fairness for all Americans.”
