The Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026 (H.R. 9722) proposes changes to the federal tax code to protect religious organizations' tax-exempt status. Specifically, it ensures that religious beliefs or practices concerning marriage, sexuality, or gender identity cannot be deemed inconsistent with public policy solely because they conflict with certain laws or societal views. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a belief qualifies as religious even if it is not central to a religion's teachings. These changes would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Supporters of the bill argue that it safeguards religious organizations from government overreach and protects their rights to maintain tax-exempt status without compromising their beliefs. Representative Blake Moore, the bill's sponsor, emphasized that the legislation prevents the government from using tax-exempt status or federal funding eligibility as leverage to force religious organizations to alter their positions on marriage, sexual conduct standards, or gender identity policies. This perspective is echoed by outlets like the Ripon Advance, which highlighted the bill's role in ensuring fair treatment for faith-based organizations.
Critics contend that the bill could enable discrimination under the guise of religious freedom. They argue that allowing organizations to maintain tax-exempt status despite holding beliefs that conflict with anti-discrimination laws undermines efforts toward equality. Concerns have been raised that the legislation might permit organizations to refuse services or employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, potentially leading to increased marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals. However, specific negative media coverage on H.R. 9722 is limited, and these critiques are extrapolated from broader discussions on similar legislative efforts.
The analysis of H.R. 9722: Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026, sponsored by Blake Moore, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor's top donor industries. The top donors primarily represent sectors such as healthcare, technology, and public services, which do not have a direct financial stake in the treatment of religious organizations. However, significant lobbying activity in related policy areas, such as healthcare (American College of Emergency Physicians contributing $498,299), may indicate indirect influences that could affect legislative outcomes. Voters should be aware that while direct conflicts are absent, the presence of substantial lobbying funds could still shape discussions around the bill.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS | AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS | $498,299 |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | $150,000 |
| COLLIER COLLECTIVE, LLC | MCCOLL STRATEGIES LLC | $40,000 |
| HART HEALTH STRATEGIES | TIM YEHL, LLC | $40,000 |
| PANO AI | PANO AI | $40,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION | TIM YEHL, LLC | $30,000 |
| BSA, THE SOFTWARE ALLIANCE | TIM YEHL, LLC | $20,000 |
| PSEG SERVICES CORPORATION | TIM YEHL, LLC | $20,000 |
| COUNTY OF NAPA | PARAGON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $15,000 |
| LAKE COUNTY | PARAGON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $15,000 |
| NEVADA COUNTY | PARAGON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $15,000 |
| HUMBOLDT COUNTY | PARAGON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $15,000 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATORS | PARAGON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION | PARAGON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $10,000 |
| CLARK COUNTY | PARAGON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Blake Moore, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
