Respect faith-based opposition to same-sex marriage.
Kennedy co-sponsored respecting faith-based opposition to same-sex marriage
Congressional Summary: The First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that:
marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or
sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.
Legal Argument Opposed: [Secular.org]: "The stated purpose of FADA is to protect the tax-exempt status, government contract, or any other federal benefit of those who do not comply with the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling. This act's true impact would allow for sweeping, taxpayer-funded discrimination against same-sex couples and their children--all under the guise of religious liberty. FADA would completely eviscerate the historic nondiscrimination Executive Order that President Obama signed last summer that prohibits federal contractors from
engaging in discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion and freedom from religion, not the special privileges of the religiously affiliated at the expense of the fundamental rights of other Americans."
Political Argument Opposed: [ACLU, July 20, 2015]: The House of Representatives & leading anti-LGBT organizations are pushing a bill--disingenuously titled the First Amendment Defense Act--that would open the door to unprecedented taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT people, single mothers, and unmarried couples. This bill would
allow federal contractors, including those that provide homeless shelters or drug treatment programs, to turn away LGBT people
permit a university to fire an unmarried teacher simply for becoming pregnant
permit federal employees to refuse to process tax returns, visa applications, or Social Security checks for all married same-sex couples
Kennedy supports the AFA survey question on definition of marriage
The American Family Association Action Voter Guide asked if candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with public funds.'
American Family Association Action (AFA Action) produces the online "iVoterGuide" for selected state and federal races. The mission of AFA Action is to inform and mobilize individuals to strengthen the biblical foundations of America.
Source: American Family Association survey 16AFA_Q3B on Nov 8, 2016