Sec. 2. Findings
149 words·~1 min read·
/bill/113/s/1808/is/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds the following: Leading legal scholars concur that conflicts between same-sex marriage and religious liberty are real and should be legislatively addressed. As the President stated in response to the decision of the Supreme Court on the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, Americans hold a wide range of views on the issue of same-sex marriage, and maintaining our Nation’s commitment to religious freedom is vital . Protecting religious freedom from Government intrusion is a Government interest of the highest order.
Legislatively enacted measures advance this interest by remedying, deterring, and preventing Government interference with religious exercise in a way that complements the protections mandated by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Laws that protect the free exercise of religious beliefs about marriage will encourage private citizens and institutions to demonstrate similar tolerance and therefore contribute to a more respectful, diverse, and peaceful society.