The IRS is advocating for a change regarding the Johnson Amendment, which restricts tax-exempt organizations from endorsing political candidates. In a joint court filing, they requested a federal court to halt enforcement of these rules against religious institutions. The National Religious Broadcasters Association and other organizations claim that the amendment violates their First Amendment rights. The IRS has historically not enforced this amendment strictly against churches. In 2017, President Trump aimed to eradicate the amendment to allow religious leaders to openly express political preferences.
The IRS and the National Religious Broadcasters Association have asked a federal court in Texas to halt the enforcement of the Johnson Amendment against religious organizations.
The Johnson Amendment prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates, established in 1954.
The IRS has generally not enforced the Johnson Amendment against houses of worship for speech related to electoral politics.
President Trump signed an executive order in 2017 to disregard the Johnson Amendment, stating that it should allow faith representatives to speak freely.
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