Attorney General Sessions promises to do the right thing for Religious Freedom
Sessions promises to do the right thing for Religious Freedom
From the Washington Times: A playground spat over surfacing made out of scrap tires is looming as a pivotal church-state separation case, one that religious freedom advocates say could provide relief from what they see as government hostility toward faith.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jan/20/trinity-lutheran-church-v-pauley-looms-as-key-chur/
Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate commented:
"Contrary to some well meaning groups and Hugh Hewitt, the "conservative" commentator who savaged Trump in prime time last year, Public Advocate has not taken a position on the issue of churches having equal access to taxpayer funded government grants for playgrounds.
Public Advocate does not agree taxpayer funded playgrounds are necessary government spending at any level of spending when compared to 1,000 other priorities. Obtaining and spending tax dollars because its there is not proper fiscal policy that ends well for our nation.
One of the principal debates among Christians when discussing the minor side issue (and some say wasteful spending in) the use of public funds for public purposes and also allowing access to them "equally". While most agree there is a benefit, but on the other hand there are those who ponder the fair or reasonable companion strutiny that the church or Christian then must allow in return for "government help.", said Delgaudio.
Delgaudio concluded: "The assurance by Attorney General Jeffrey Sessions to be there for the big cases on religious freedom is what is a complete change for the better."
TRANSCRIPT IN PART
Hugh Hewitt and AG Jeff Sessions
Audio
http://www.hughhewitt.com/wp-content/uploads/03-09hhs-sessions.mp3
Transcript
http://www.hughhewitt.com/attorney-general-jeff-sessions/
HH: I want to turn now to a case pending before the United States Supreme Court, the case of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia V. Pauley scheduled for argument on April 19th, probably the most important Free Exercise Clause case in a long time. You've named Noel Francisco as your solicitor general designate. Will Justice Gorsuch be confirmed by then? Will Noel Francisco argue that case?
JS: Well, that's, those are good questions. Noel hasn't joined us, yet as solicitor general. We've got to get him confirmed, and that's probably weeks away. And then we've got the question of when Judge Gorsuch could be confirmed. I'm hoping that will move right along. There can be some delays on the Supreme Court, because you know, you've got to have a super majority. It's subject to a filibuster at this point. so we're hoping Judge Gorsuch is so fabulous, his record is so strong, and he just simply believes that you should follow the law as written. He doesn't want to make up law. That means he's not a threat to our liberties. I think, I believe he's going to have bipartisan support, and I'm hopeful that he can move right on through. We'll see. I can't give you a date on when I would expect him to be confirmed.
HH: Now this 1st Amendment case, so important to us, though. Who's going to argue it? And do you, have you had a chance, yet, to figure out whether or not the United States Government will argue to overturn the very bad Lemon Test and indeed declare all of the state Blaine Amendments unconstitutional, given their original anti-Catholic bias? That's deep in the weeds, but it matters a lot.
JS: Well, you understand this. But I need to be careful before I opine on it. So I'll kind of dodge that question right now. We're going to be putting together a great team in the solicitor general's office. As you know, Hugh, it's an important office. The solicitor general is the greatest lawyer job in the world, they say. You get to stand up before the United States Supreme Court and represent the United States of America. So it's a great honor, and we're going to try to make sure that any lawyer arguing for us in courts of this country are capable and principled, and know that we serve under the Constitution and not above it.
HH: Would you tell me, at least, though, Mr. Attorney General, that Trinity Lutheran, you will review personally the arguments being made, because they can go for a small ball win, or they can go for a big win on this for religious freedom.
And I'm for the going for the big win on this one.
JS: Well, I will. That's a commitment I'll make, Hugh.
HH: I appreciate that.