ADF: Proposed DOL rule tramples religious freedom of federal contractors
The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Gregory S. Baylor regarding ADF’s formal comment submitted Thursday to the U.S. Department of Labor in response to the agency’s proposed rule to roll back religious liberty protections for faith-based organizations that partner with the federal government:
“The U.S. Constitution protects the right of all Americans to operate freely according to their religious beliefs. This freedom isn’t abandoned simply because an individual or organization enters into a contract with the federal government. ADF is extremely disappointed by the Department of Labor’s proposal to rescind a Trump administration regulation that clarified the ability of faith-based organizations to adhere to their religious beliefs while maintaining partnerships with the government. Eliminating these faith-based nonprofits jeopardizes the vital services these organizations provide to our most vulnerable citizens—from placing foster children in forever homes to providing impoverished citizens with shelter and job training. We urge the Biden administration to keep these regulations in place, ensuring that faith-based organizations aren’t forced to choose between their religious mission and providing aid to those who need it most.”
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
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ABOUT Gregory S. Baylor
Gregory S. Baylor serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where he is the director of the Center for Religious Schools and senior counsel for government affairs. Since joining ADF in 2009, Baylor has focused on defending and advancing the religious freedom of faith-based educational institutions through advice, education, legislative and public advocacy, and representation in disputes. He has testified about religious liberty issues three times before congressional committees. Greg earned his Juris Doctor in 1990 from Duke University School of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif, with high honors, and served on the editorial board of the Duke Law Journal. He received his bachelor’s degree in Honors English in 1987 from Dartmouth College. Following graduation from law school, he served as law clerk to the Hon. Jerry E. Smith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. He practiced labor and employment law at two large international law firms for three years before joining the staff of Christian Legal Society’s Center for Law and Religious Freedom, where he served for 15 years prior to joining ADF.