Duval Times

The U.S. Department of State has come under scrutiny for a proposed rule that has the potential to prioritize a woke agenda over the future of U.S. foreign assistance. This rule would discriminate against faith-based organizations and traditional values groups in various regions around the world. In response, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and a group of colleagues have sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing their concern and urging him to rescind the proposed rule.

Rubio and his colleagues state, "Conditioning foreign assistance programs on adherence to leftist priorities, like abortion and gender identity, may deprive access to U.S. foreign assistance to those most in need of these programs." They argue that this rule could undermine U.S. national security and infringe on the rights protected by the Constitution and the law.

Joining Senator Rubio in this effort are Senators Tom Cotton, Bill Cassidy, Ted Budd, Mike Braun, Steve Daines, Pete Ricketts, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Roger Marshall. Together, they aim to address the issue of promoting a socially progressive worldview at the expense of building international relationships and protecting America's national security.

The proposed nondiscrimination rule has raised concerns about its potential violation of the rights and beliefs of faith-based partner organizations and their beneficiaries. It is argued that this rule would undermine relationships with key stakeholders and threaten U.S. security interests. The partnership between the U.S. and faith-based organizations has been crucial in carrying out foreign assistance programs, such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which have featured robust conscience protections.

The letter highlights the negative impact that this rule could have on foreign assistance recipients who hold religious beliefs that conflict with counseling, referring, or providing contraceptives or sterilization. The senators express concern that this could lead to an increase in anti-American sentiment in countries where they feel an unwanted ideological agenda is being forced upon them through U.S. foreign policy.

In a time when countries like Russia, China, and Iran are actively seeking to expand their influence abroad, it is important for American foreign policy to unite countries rather than divide them. The senators emphasize the need to find common ground with an expansive coalition of countries that share an interest in confronting authoritarianism.

Another concern raised in the letter is the proposed waiver requirement for religious organizations to employ individuals of their own faith or to carry out foreign assistance activities in line with their sincerely held beliefs. This requirement could place a burden on faith-based groups and give the State Department the power to veto decisions regarding employment based on religious beliefs.

To address these concerns, the senators pose a series of questions to the State Department regarding the proposed regulations. They inquire about the requirements for Jewish organizations, Ukrainian organizations, and the hiring process for determining religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other characteristics prohibited from being asked during the hiring process. The senators also request clarification on how the State Department plans to ensure compliance with the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the promulgation and application of this rule.

In conclusion, Senator Rubio and his colleagues urge Secretary Blinken to rescind the proposed rule and apply nondiscrimination requirements in a manner that upholds U.S. national security and protects the rights granted by the Constitution and the law. They express their gratitude in advance for Secretary Blinken's attention to this matter.