For seven decades, the Johnson Amendment has hung over churches and pastors as a cloud of government intimidation.

Under this provision of the federal tax code, churches and nonprofit organizations risk losing their tax-exempt status if the IRS determines they improperly engaged in political speech. In practice, it has created a chilling effect on pastors, ministries, and faith-based organizations seeking to speak clearly on the moral and constitutional issues facing our nation.

That is why the ACLJ has sent letters to Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Representative Mark Harris (NC-8) expressing support for the policies contained in the Free Speech Fairness Act, which is companion legislation they introduced in the Senate and House. If passed into law, this bill would protect churches and ministries from IRS punishment for expressing political viewpoints consistent with their religious mission.

The ACLJ has long maintained that the Johnson Amendment is unconstitutional. The First Amendment does not permit the federal government to condition tax-exempt status on surrendering core........

© Townhall