APP Praises New HHS Rule Protecting Religious Foster Care Agencies
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the proposal of a new rule revising the agency’s grantmaking regulations. The changes are aimed at recognizing and protecting the religious liberty of faith-based groups that receive federal funding, particularly religious adoption and foster care agencies which had been faced with a loss of funding under the Obama administration due to their beliefs on marriage and sexuality.
In response, Terry Schilling, executive director of American Principles Project, released the following statement praising the new rule:
For decades, faith-based adoption and foster care agencies have played a critical role in providing for our nation’s children in need of new homes. Until recently, the idea of the government assisting these groups in their work was completely uncontroversial. Incredibly, however, states and localities like Michigan and Philadelphia have lately begun to demand these groups violate their consciences or lose all support, as did the Obama administration. Amid a nationwide foster care crisis, this ideological grandstanding is utterly unconscionable.
Thankfully, from day one President Trump has committed to put the needs of children and the protection of religious liberty above politics, and this new rule solidifies that commitment. APP joins with many faithful Americans in commending the President and his administration for taking this important action.
To schedule an interview with Terry Schilling, contact Paul Dupont at (o) 202-503-2010 or pdupont@americanprinciplesproject.org.