Blake Moore (R-UT)
Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 13 Republican cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026 aims to ensure fair treatment for certain charitable organizations and recipients of Federal financial assistance. It amends the Internal Revenue Code regarding the determination of religious purpose for tax-exempt status. This amendment mandates that religious purpose determinations be made without regard to specific beliefs concerning marriage, sexuality, or gender identity. Additionally, it prevents beliefs from failing a religious purpose test just because they are not central to a system of religion. The bill also prohibits Federal agencies from discriminating against religious employers that receive Federal grants, loans, or contracts. This includes protecting their right to employ persons who share their specific religious standards and beliefs.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?
The bill strengthens religious freedom by protecting the tax-exempt status and employment rights of religious organizations.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides greater legal certainty and protection for religious employers receiving federal funds.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?
The bill protects religious educational institutions receiving federal assistance from discrimination based on their religious standards.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people?
The bill allows religious employers to use specific beliefs regarding sexuality and gender identity as a basis for employment practices.
- Scored -5
Would LGBTQ people be better off under this?
The bill enables employment practices based on religious beliefs concerning sexuality and gender identity that may conflict with LGBTQ rights.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Tax-Exempt Status: Under Section 2, organizations can have their religious purpose determined without the government considering their specific beliefs or practices regarding marriage, sexuality, or gender identity. This ensures that a belief is not disqualified simply because it is not central to a system of religion.
-
Protection Against Discrimination in Federal Assistance: Section 3 prohibits Federal branches, departments, or agencies from discriminating against or disadvantaging religious employers (such as corporations, associations, educational institutions, or societies) that receive Federal grants, loans, or contracts. This protects these employers when they take actions consistent with their right to employ persons who share their specific religious standards and beliefs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill protects the right of organizations to uphold and act upon their religious standards and beliefs. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill limits the ability of federal agencies to enforce certain social standards against religious entities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill protects religious educational institutions receiving federal assistance from discrimination based on their religious standards.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — The bill protects the tax-exempt status of religious organizations regardless of specific beliefs on social issues.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — The bill strengthens religious freedom by protecting the tax-exempt status and employment rights of religious organizations. Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — The bill allows religious employers to use specific beliefs regarding sexuality and gender identity as a basis for employment practices.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides greater legal certainty and protection for religious employers receiving federal funds. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill enables employment practices based on religious beliefs concerning sexuality and gender identity that may conflict with LGBTQ rights.
- 6/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Mark AlfordRepublican · Missouri
Ben ClineRepublican · Virginia
Russ FulcherRepublican · Idaho
Glenn GrothmanRepublican · Wisconsin
Lance GoodenRepublican · Texas
Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
Celeste MaloyRepublican · Utah
Burgess OwensRepublican · Utah
David SchweikertRepublican · Arizona
W. SteubeRepublican · Florida
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York
Tim WalbergRepublican · Michigan