Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 02:05 pm
Sens. Corey Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and other Democrats have introduced a bill that would prevent president-elect Trump from creating a federal religious registry.
The legislation prohibits the creation of the registry and the use of federal funds to create or implement the the registry, “The Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or any other Federal department may not create or implement a law enforcement or national security program that requires, or has the effect of causing, people to register or check in on the basis of religion, race, age, gender, ethnicity, national origin, nationality, or citizenship; and consistent with the prohibition under paragraph (1), no Federal funds may be used to create or implement an immigration registry or check-in program.”
Sen. Booker who introduced the bill said, “Religious freedom and freedom from discrimination are fundamental rights central to the very idea of being an American. Forcing people to sign up for a registry based on their religion, race, or national origin does nothing to keep America secure. It does, however, undermine the freedom of religion guaranteed by our Constitution and promote the false notion that people of certain faiths and nationalities are inherently suspect. Our legislation would block Donald Trump and subsequent administrations from infringing on religious liberty by creating an immigration-related religious registry. Throughout our history, the United States has been a beacon of hope for those seeking religious freedom, and has taken significant steps forward to advance civil and human rights. We must ensure this legacy lasts forever into the future.â€
Sen. Warren argued that Trump’s registry will make America less safe, “Targeting people based on their religion flies squarely in the face of who we are as Americans – and it makes our country less safe. This bill will uphold American values and ensure the federal government cannot engage in surveillance or harassment of certain immigrant groups.”
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This is the legislation that could kill Trump’s Muslim registry. People of all faiths are opposed to a federal religious registry. If the United States federal government can’t have a registry of gun owners, the same standard must also apply to the constitutional protections on religion.
The Senate does not have 60 votes for Trump’s Muslim registry, and it has expressed little interest in passing such legislation. The Democratic bill has a better chance of passing than anything that Trump and his allies could offer. Trump’s Muslim registry is DOA, as Democrats are standing up to protect the constitutional freedoms of the American people.
***The full list of Democrats sponsoring The Protect American Families Act include, “Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
