AZHAR MAJEED

CFI's Office of Public Policy lobbied against the "Educational Choice for Children Act" (ECCA), which diverts billions of dollars in federal funding to private, religious schools. OPP lobbied against the ECCA's inclusion in the federal reconciliation package (HR 1). Lobbying against ECCA is part of OPP's advocacy against the use of school voucher programs to benefit religious institutions and harm public schools.

CFI's Office of Public Policy lobbied against the "Educational Choice for Children Act" (ECCA), which would divert federal funding to private (mostly religious) schools and away from public schools. OPP lobbied against the ECCA's inclusion in the federal budget reconciliation package. Lobbying against ECCA is part of our advocacy against the use of school voucher programs to primarily benefit religious institutions.

CFI's Office of Public Policy lobbied against the "Educational Choice for Children Act" (ECCA), which would divert federal funding to private (mostly religious) schools and away from public schools. Lobbying against ECCA is part of our advocacy against the use of school voucher programs to primarily benefit religious institutions.

Lobbying related to the "Educational Choice for Children Act," which would incentivize funding private education (including tuition at primarily religious schools) and divert funding and students away from public schools.

CFI's Office of Public Policy (OPP) lobbied in favor of the "Stop Comstock Act" (HR 8796), which would repeal the antiquated Comstock Act from the 19th Century. The Comstock Act is being used (and will continue to be used) to justify book bans and restrictions on abortion and reproductive rights. In keeping with CFI's mission to defend science and reason, OPP supports the Stop Comstock Act to restore reproductive choice.

The Office of Public Policy (OPP) lobbied in favor of greater federal regulation of homeopathy and homeopathic products. OPP responded to the Senate Appropriation Committee's call for lessened regulation of this pseudoscience, and argued in favor of more FDA involvement.

CFI's Office of Public Policy lobbied in favor of the "Health Share Transparency Act." CFI lobbied for additional co-sponsors to join the Act, which would increase federal regulation of health care sharing ministries. These ministries are alternative health insurance arrangements based on shared religious community, but they frequently provide insufficient coverage and leave patients vulnerable to costly medical bills to be paid out of pocket.

CFI's Office of Public Policy lobbied in favor of the "Health Share Transparency Act," which was introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman in November 2023. CFI lobbied for additional co-sponsors to join the Act, which would increase federal regulation of health care sharing ministries. These ministries are alternative health insurance arrangements based on shared religious community, but they frequently provide insufficient coverage and leave patients vulnerable to costly medical bills to be paid out of pocket.

CFI's Office of Public Policy lobbied against the "Religious Education Week" resolution introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham and others. CFI lobbied in favor of a "Banned Books Week" resolution introduced by Rep. Jamie Raskin and others.

CFI's Office of Public Policy supported the Congressional "National Day of Reason" resolution (May 4, 2023). This resolution declares a National Day of Reason to commemorate and celebrate the role of science, reason, free inquiry, and critical thinking in human progress. The resolution promotes secular thought, as opposed to religious dogma and indoctrination, as embodied in the National Day of Prayer and the National Prayer Breakfast.

CFI's Office of Public Policy supported the Congressional "Public Schools Week" resolution, Feb. 27-March 3. This initiative supports public schools nationwide and opposes private school voucher programs, which benefit primarily religious institutions using taxpayer dollars. OPP opposed an amendment to H.R. 5 (Parents' Bill of Rights) that would have created a federal voucher program for private schools. This amendment would have cut federal funding for public institutions and primarily advanced religious instruction.

CFI lobbied in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which codifies federal protections for the right to marriage, including same-sex marriage, in the face of religious opposition.

CFI's Office of Public Policy lobbied in favor of the FDASLA Act, which would increase federal oversight and regulation of dietary supplements. OPP also lobbied in favor of the bill to add a Thomas Paine memorial in Washington, DC, to honor a Founding Father who was also an accomplished scientist, writer, and humanist.

CFI has lobbied in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify federal protections for the right to marriage, including same-sex marriage, in the face of religious opposition.

As an organization defending science and secularism, CFI lobbied for the Health Share Transparency Act. This bill would increase federal oversight and regulation of "health care sharing ministries," which are described as alternatives to traditional health insurance and are offered to members of a shared religious faith. However, they shortchange consumers and deprive them of proper medical coverage. CFI has lobbied members of Congress to co-sponsor this legislation.

CFI supported the Health Share Transparency Act, introduced in the House of Representatives. This bill would increase federal regulation, oversight, and enforcement regarding "health care sharing ministries," which are presented to religious communities as alternatives to traditional health insurance. The Act aims to prevent consumer deception and fraud, since these share arrangements often provide inadequate health coverage. It requires certain disclosures from those operating health care sharing ministries and gives regulators more tools and information to work with.

As an organization dedicated to defending science, CFI supported the FDA Safety and Landmark Advancements Act (S. 4348). This Act would increase the level of FDA regulation over dietary supplements, require certain disclosures from the manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements, increase federal enforcement, and protect consumers from false claims, fraud, and deceptive business practices.

As an organization dedicated to defending science, CFI supported the Scientific Integrity Act (H.R. 849), which revises the release of scientific research by federal agencies. CFI supported the Women's Health Protection Act (S. 1975), which seeks to protect women's right to reproductive choice against religion-based restrictions. CFI also advocated against the continued use of health care sharing ministries due to the incomplete and insufficient health care coverage they provide to Americans.

CFI opposed the Protecting Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Mandates Act (H.R. 5480), which privileges religion at the expense of generally applicable vaccine requirements. CFI also opposed the bill to declare "Lift Every Voice and Sing" as the national hymn, because separation of church and state prohibits the declaration of a religious song as America's national hymn.

As an organization dedicated to defending science, including against religion-based interference, CFI supported the Scientific Integrity Act (H.R. 849), which revises the release of scientific research by federal agencies. CFI also supported the Do No Harm Act (S. 2752), which seeks to prevent religion-based violation of civil and other rights. CFI also supported the Women's Health Protection Act (S. 1975), which seeks to protect women's right to reproductive choice against religion-based restrictions.

CFI opposed the Protecting Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Mandates Act (H.R. 5480), which privileges religion at the expense of generally applicable vaccine requirements.

CFI opposed the Support for the Pledge of Allegiance resolution (S. Res. 309) as a measure that promotes religious ideology. CFI also opposed the Religious Education Week resolution (S. Res. 407) as a measure that promotes religion-based education.

As an organization dedicated to defending science, including against religion-based interference, CFI supported the Scientific Integrity Act (H.R. 849), which revises the release of scientific research by federal agencies. CFI also supported the Do No Harm Act (S. 2752), which seeks to prevent religion-based violation of civil and other rights. CFI also supported the Women's Health Protection Act (S. 1975), which seeks to protect women's right to reproductive choice against religion-based restrictions.

Proudly support H.Res.357 - Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2021, as a "National Day of Reason" and recognizing the central importance of reason in the betterment of humanity. Oppose Sen. Res. 309 - Expresses support for the Pledge of Allegiance and asserts the constitutionality of the same, despite its use of "under God" phraseology and its religious and coercive background.

Proudly support H.Res.357 - Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2021, as a "National Day of Reason" and recognizing the central importance of reason in the betterment of humanity. Oppose Sen. Res. 309 - Expresses support for the Pledge of Allegiance and asserts the constitutionality of the same, despite its use of "under God" phraseology and its religious and coercive background.

Proudly support H.Res.357 - Expressing support for the designation of May 7, 2021, as a "National Day of Reason" and recognizing the central importance of reason in the betterment of humanity.