Obama vs Religious Freedom in Military

Cruz Slams Obama Over Religious 'Conscience' Amendment

 

By: Matthew Auerbach

On Thursday, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, condemned President Obama for his opposition to a bill that would guarantee those in the military the right to freely express their religious beliefs, Politico reports.

Obama has threatened to veto such a bill.

“We have reports of servicemen and women being told that, ‘If you share your faith with others, you will face disciplinary action and perhaps court martial,’” Cruz told a gathering of conservative activists at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in the Capitol.

“The idea that we would say to men and women who are risking their lives … that they have to check their First Amendment rights at the door and give up the right to speak the truth and to speak and defend their faith, it’s wrong and it’s unconstitutional.”

The amendment, brought to the House by Rep. John Fleming, R-La., puts the military on call to recognize “conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of” those in its employ.

Those who oppose the provision claim it would open the door for easier harassment of gay soldiers under the pretense of religion.

This week, the White House Office of Management and Budget, issued a statement in objection to the amendment, saying such legislation would limit the “discretion of commanders to address potentially problematic speech and actions within their units.”

Cruz told the gathering that while he believes his fellow House members will protect the rights of those in the military, he has no such faith in Obama.

“Congress is acting right now to make very clear in the law that our service men and women don’t give up their faith when they sign up to defend this country,” said Cruz.

The Obama administration has explicitly said it opposes such efforts and has threatened to veto.”