S. 1279 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1279 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 11, 2013 Ms. Landrieu introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To prohibit the revocation or withholding of Federal funds to programs whose participants carry out voluntary religious activities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Freedom to Pray Act. 2. Prohibition on withholding Federal funds to programs whose participants conduct voluntary religious activities (a) In General It shall be unlawful for the Federal Government to revoke or withhold Federal financial assistance that would otherwise be provided to any recipient of such assistance on the basis of religious activities that are conducted voluntarily and initiated by participants in a program or activity carried out by such recipient. (b) Rules of construction Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the United States or any State or political subdivision thereof— (1) to sponsor a religious activity; (2) to prohibit a recipient of Federal financial assistance from ensuring that a religious activity does not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of the program or activities carried out by such recipient; (3) to require any person to participate in prayer or other religious activity; or (4) to compel any employee or agent of a program or activity that is carried out by a recipient of Federal financial assistance to participate in an activity if the content of the speech at the activity is contrary to the beliefs of the employee or agent.