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Trump to sign order lifting ban on political activity by Church of Scientology and other churches.
NOTE: I am placing this here, and not in the politics section, because it necessarily concerns the Church of Scientology. Could we please avoid having this thread devolve into a general Trump thread, stay on the topic of Scientology, and avoid having it moved to the politics section?
Reuters: Trump to sign order lifting ban on political activity by churches
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-religion-idUSKBN17Z2O2
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By Steve Holland | WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump is expected to take executive action on Thursday to effectively lift a ban on political activity by churches and other tax-exempt institutions, a senior White House official said on Wednesday.
Trump will mark the National Day of Prayer by issuing guidance to federal agencies like the Treasury Department on how to interpret a law that says churches and religious organizations risk losing their tax-exempt status if they participate in political campaigns.
The order is expected to give the Treasury Department guidance on how strictly to enforce the 1954 law known as the Johnson Amendment, the White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as details of the action were still being worked out.
Trump frequently complained about the amendment during his campaign for the presidency, bolstering his support among religious conservatives who contend it violates free speech and religious freedom rights.
Changing the law altogether would require action in the Republican-led U.S. Congress.
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New York Times: Trump Is Expected to Relax Tax Rules on Churches Taking Part in Politics
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/us/politics/trump-religion-executive-order-gay-rights.html?_r=0
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By MICHAEL D. SHEAR, LAURIE GOODSTEIN and MAGGIE HABERMANMAY 3, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump plans to mark the National Day of Prayer on Thursday by issuing an executive order that makes it easier for churches and other religious groups to actively participate in politics without risking their tax-exempt status, several administration officials said.
Taking action as he hosts conservative religious leaders Thursday morning, Mr. Trump’s executive order would attempt to overcome a provision in the federal tax code that prohibits religious organizations like churches from directly opposing or supporting political candidates.
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Time: President Trump Plans to Loosen Rules on Political Organizing by Churches
http://time.com/4766166/donald-trump-johnson-amendment-churches-executive-order/
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Zeke J Miller,Elizabeth Dias
Updated: 9:08 PM ET | Originally published: 6:32 PM ET
President Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer to relax prohibitions on political activities by religious organizations, White House officials and stakeholders said.
Two Administration officials said the order will primarily pertain to the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 provision in U.S. tax code that prohibits political activities by 501(c)3 tax exempt organizations like churches. Conservative religious groups have long sought the repeal of the provision, a position embraced by Trump on the campaign trail. But the prohibition was put in place by Congress, potentially limiting the impact of Trump’s executive action to more of a symbolic move. A White House official says the order directs the Internal Revenue Service to exercise "maximum enforcement discretion" in cases related to the Johnson Amendment, but that "all laws still apply."
An Administration official added that the order would take steps to free religious groups like church-affiliated hospitals, universities, and non-profits from requirements that employees receive contraception coverage in their health insurance plans. The requirement was the subject of a Supreme Court case brought by the Little Sisters of the Poor. A White House official said the order would provide "regulatory relief" broadly, but that it would not state the specifics.
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NOTE: I am placing this here, and not in the politics section, because it necessarily concerns the Church of Scientology. Could we please avoid having this thread devolve into a general Trump thread, stay on the topic of Scientology, and avoid having it moved to the politics section?
Reuters: Trump to sign order lifting ban on political activity by churches
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-religion-idUSKBN17Z2O2
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
By Steve Holland | WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump is expected to take executive action on Thursday to effectively lift a ban on political activity by churches and other tax-exempt institutions, a senior White House official said on Wednesday.
Trump will mark the National Day of Prayer by issuing guidance to federal agencies like the Treasury Department on how to interpret a law that says churches and religious organizations risk losing their tax-exempt status if they participate in political campaigns.
The order is expected to give the Treasury Department guidance on how strictly to enforce the 1954 law known as the Johnson Amendment, the White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as details of the action were still being worked out.
Trump frequently complained about the amendment during his campaign for the presidency, bolstering his support among religious conservatives who contend it violates free speech and religious freedom rights.
Changing the law altogether would require action in the Republican-led U.S. Congress.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
New York Times: Trump Is Expected to Relax Tax Rules on Churches Taking Part in Politics
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/us/politics/trump-religion-executive-order-gay-rights.html?_r=0
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * *
By MICHAEL D. SHEAR, LAURIE GOODSTEIN and MAGGIE HABERMANMAY 3, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump plans to mark the National Day of Prayer on Thursday by issuing an executive order that makes it easier for churches and other religious groups to actively participate in politics without risking their tax-exempt status, several administration officials said.
Taking action as he hosts conservative religious leaders Thursday morning, Mr. Trump’s executive order would attempt to overcome a provision in the federal tax code that prohibits religious organizations like churches from directly opposing or supporting political candidates.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * *
Time: President Trump Plans to Loosen Rules on Political Organizing by Churches
http://time.com/4766166/donald-trump-johnson-amendment-churches-executive-order/
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
Zeke J Miller,Elizabeth Dias
Updated: 9:08 PM ET | Originally published: 6:32 PM ET
President Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer to relax prohibitions on political activities by religious organizations, White House officials and stakeholders said.
Two Administration officials said the order will primarily pertain to the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 provision in U.S. tax code that prohibits political activities by 501(c)3 tax exempt organizations like churches. Conservative religious groups have long sought the repeal of the provision, a position embraced by Trump on the campaign trail. But the prohibition was put in place by Congress, potentially limiting the impact of Trump’s executive action to more of a symbolic move. A White House official says the order directs the Internal Revenue Service to exercise "maximum enforcement discretion" in cases related to the Johnson Amendment, but that "all laws still apply."
An Administration official added that the order would take steps to free religious groups like church-affiliated hospitals, universities, and non-profits from requirements that employees receive contraception coverage in their health insurance plans. The requirement was the subject of a Supreme Court case brought by the Little Sisters of the Poor. A White House official said the order would provide "regulatory relief" broadly, but that it would not state the specifics.
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