WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a bill that would have allowed churches to endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status.
The "Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act" was defeated on a 239-178 vote Oct. 2. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), said he will try again next year, according to The Associated Press.
"Today we took a very important step toward bringing freedom of speech back to our pulpits," Jones told the AP. "From the first day of the 108th Congress, I will continue this fight because I believe this battle can be won and will be won. Congress must return First Amendment rights to our houses of worship."
The bill would have given religious leaders the right to talk about politics and make endorsements, lifting the Internal Revenue Service's ban on political activity at houses of worship.
Rep. Christopher Says (R-Conn.) said the bill would erode the separation of church and state, enabling big-money donors to funnel money through churches.
The bill's supporters included Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson, pastor Jerry Falwell and Focus on the Family leader James Dobson.
Opponents included the public-policy arms of the United Methodist Church, the National Council of Churches, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Jewish and Buddhist organizations.
