Courts, Rights and Civil Liberties

Religious exemptions

13 public statements from 2026 candidates · 1 related bill

§1The range of views

Why this matters: It decides, for example, whether an employer can leave birth control out of its health plan, or a wedding business can turn down work for a same-sex wedding, because of its owners' beliefs.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

When people, businesses and religious organizations can be excused from laws, such as anti-discrimination rules or health coverage requirements, because following them would conflict with their religious beliefs.

  1. Broaden exemptions, including for businesses and their owners
  2. Keep exemptions as current law and court rulings allow
  3. Narrow exemptions so anti-discrimination and health coverage laws apply to more employers and businesses

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Broaden exemptions, including for businesses and their owners (2)

  • "Clay" Higgins LA-3
    His campaign website's 2016 Issues page says he opposes any state or federal mandate that would require a citizen to take part in a ceremony or endeavor that is inconsistent with their religious convictions.1
  • Michelle Fischbach MN-7
    Its religious liberty section says government should never be able to compel people to act against their religious beliefs in the workplace. The record page lists co-sponsoring a bill to protect health care providers who decline to take part in abortions because of religious belief or conviction.2,3

Statements that don't match one option (11)

  • Gary Palmer AL-6
    His campaign website says he has worked to protect religious liberty from government actions that would force individuals, employers or faith-based groups to violate their beliefs, including an amendment barring federal funds from enforcing a Washington, D.C., law that could require employers to cover abortions.4
  • Michael Ted Goldstein CT-4
    His campaign platform says he supports religious exemptions.5
  • Byron Donalds FL Governor
    His campaign website says he would protect every congregation's right to preach, teach, hire and serve according to its conscience by writing that right into state law.6
  • Kelly Esti GA-8
    His campaign website’s About page lists among his past roles, as legislative chair and board member of Georgia Equality, spearheading successful opposition to the 2015 Religious Freedom Bill.7
  • Houston Gaines GA-10
    His campaign website says he voted for Georgia’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.8
  • Russ Fulcher ID-1
    His campaign website says he has defended religious liberty against mandates that force faith-based organizations to violate their beliefs.9
  • Christian Maxwell IL-1
    Her issues page says she will support legislation that protects conscience rights and ensures faith-based organizations can compete fairly for federal partnerships.10
  • Tim Walberg MI-5
    His campaign website says he will stand up for religious institutions and for people with sincere beliefs so the government cannot make them act against their conscience.11
  • Ilhan Omar MN-5
    Its equality page says she will oppose efforts to roll back LGBTQIA+ rights on religious-liberty grounds.12
  • Kevin Hern OK Senate
    His campaign website says he has advocated for policies that protect religious institutions from government discrimination and preserve conscience rights for health care providers.13
  • James Talarico TX Senate
    His campaign website says he supports passing the Do No Harm Act, which it describes as protecting religious liberty and preventing religious discrimination.14

§3Related bills

Why this matters: Bills from 2023–2026 that bear on this issue, with how Congress handled them.