WASHINGTON-(Effingham Radio)- Today, Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) led over two dozen Members of Congress in writing a letter to President Biden’s Defense Secretary to demand answers on the attack on Christian faith administered by the Biden Administration over Easter weekend. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center sent a “cease and desist” letter to Catholic priests to stop providing care during Holy Week, violating the First Amendment rights of Americans.
“Priests and pastors guided our troops through the darkest days of our toughest battles,” Miller said. “The Biden Administration chose Easter weekend to kick Catholic priests out of Walter Reed, violating their First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. I am proud to lead this letter to Biden’s Defense Secretary to demand answers on this unconscionable attack on Christian service members.”
In the letter, the Members ask Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin why the Biden Administration chose Holy Week to send a “cease and desist” letter forcing
Catholic priests, who have provided over 20 years of service, to discontinue their pastoral care.
Additionally, the Archdiocese of the Military reported that the Biden Administration agreed to contract pastoral care to a for-profit, secular company that does not provide pastoral care. In their letter, the Members demand to know who was awarded the contract and why.
The letter sent to the Pentagon is attached, and statements from co-signers are below. Congresswoman Miller was joined by the following Members of Congress in her letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: Jim Banks, Paul Gosar, Byron Donalds, Tom Tiffany, Scott Perry, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Andy Biggs, Warren Davidson, Matt Rosendale, Lauren Boebert, Ralph Norman, Bob Good, Keith Self, Debbie Lesko, Andrew Clyde, Josh Brecheen, Brian Babin, Ben Cline, Andy Harris, Diana Harshbarger, Michael Cloud, Eli Crane, Alex X. Mooney, and Anna Paulina Luna.
Congressman Bob Good: “There is a long history of pastors and priests ministering to the troops who serve our country. Sadly, in another example of a weaponized government violating First Amendment Rights, the Biden Administration assaulted religious freedom just before Easter. Biden’s attacks on religious liberty must end.”
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene: “This attack on the Church is not just another failure. It’s incredibly embarrassing and wrong. And this time it’s directed at our military and the men and women who have served. The Biden administration must reinstate Catholic Pastoral Care at Walter Reed immediately!”
Congressman Tom Tiffany: “Our service members and veterans took care of us, and it’s our duty to take care of them when they return home. It’s shameful that the Biden administration would terminate Catholic pastoral care services during Holy Week, and it’s even more despicable that his administration continues to attack Americans’ First Amendment rights.”
Congressman Ben Cline: “It is incomprehensible that essential pastoral care was taken away from the sick and the aged at Walter Reed during Holy Week and beyond. Worse still, is that any continued spiritual need was given to a secular defense contracting firm. Making sure the medical and spiritual needs of Veterans and military members who need medical care is essential to keeping the promise we make to care for those who have borne the battle. We must remedy this egregious attack on Christian service members and ensure this unconstitutional abuse of power never happens again to our men and women in uniform.”
Congressman Alex X. Mooney: “I am deeply concerned that the Biden administration would attack religious liberty during Holy Week. I am pleased to join my colleagues in demanding answers so we can rectify this injustice.”
Congressman Warren Davidson: “This shameful action by the Biden administration is an assault on the Christian faith and in violation of the First Amendment. It’s wrong and must be corrected immediately.”
Congressman Andy Harris: “It is both unconscionable and a cause of grave concern that the Biden Administration would issue a cease-and-desist order directing Catholic priests to halt all religious services during the Holy Week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Service members have a constitutional right to the free exercise of their religion and any effort to discriminate against that would amount to an infringement of their First Amendment Rights. The Biden Administration needs to provide answers to Congress regarding this act of blatant Defense Department overreach.”
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger: “The Biden Administration’s decision to strip patients of essential pastoral care during a Holy Week is indefensible. These priests were sent a cease and desist just days before the Easter Holiday, despite having provided care at Walter Reed for nearly two decades. This is nothing short of an assault on the First Amendment and Christian faith.”
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna: “During the most important week to the Christian faith, Walter Reed and the Biden Administration chose to attack faithful Catholic priests for simply carrying out their ministry to those in need like they’ve done for almost 20 years. These priests were there to assist our troops who have been injured as a result of war. Sometimes these priests are the only ones who can reach those struggling with the dark and painful wounds of war. This biased and hateful assault on Christianity has no place in our nation and I condemn it in the strongest terms. We will be investigating this.”
Congressman Andy Biggs: “I’m alarmed by the Biden Administration’s abrupt termination of the Holy Name College Friary’s services at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center during Holy Week—arguably the most important week of the year for Christians and Catholics.
“This unprecedented decision violates all religious norms at the hospital and is a direct assault on First Amendment rights. As a result of this move, service members at the hospital will have their right to exercise religion constrained.
“My House colleagues and I demand an immediate explanation from the Biden Administration.”
Congressman Michael Cloud: “Religious liberty is foundational to our society, and targeting any group on the basis of their religious beliefs is egregious and should be fully condemned. Our government should be protecting individuals who use their constitutionally protected right to exercise religion, not abusing their authority to attack them.”
Congressman Eli Crane: “The Biden Admin’s assault on believers before the start of the holiest week in Christianity is particularly vile. Sadly, it’s not surprising coming from a regime that advocates for abortion up until the moment of birth, threatens women’s rights by refusing to recognize the inherent differences between males and females, and pushes irreversible bodily mutilation on children.”
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