Federal Government Issues

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Federal Government Issues

Current Issues on Capitol Hill

August 10, 2022 - AACS Legal Report: Federal Courts Rule That Christian Schools Must Be Subject to Title IX

2025 Issues

ODACS advocacy before Congress in 2025 addressed the same issues as in 2024, but the emphases changed somewhat. H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, was passed into law with a School Choice initiative similar to the ECCA included. Regulations will be written by the Treasury Department in 2026, and the law will take effect on January 1, 2027. Our request of Congress is that they use their influence with Treasury to ensure clean regulations that reflect the intent of Congress and that respect the autonomy of our church schools. Additionally, H.R. 1 includes an opt-in provision for state governors. Our second request of our Virginia members of Congress is that, when the time comes, they urge the governor to opt Virginia into the program, rather than leave additional private education dollars on the table.

Several years ago, AACS proactively incorporated a Scholarship Granting Organization, in anticipation of Congress's eventually passing the ECCA. Mr. Zacharias is on the board of directors of that SGO, and the board has begun its work of organizing the SGO to prepare for the law's implementation.

ODACS is also supporting the Safeguarding Charity Act in 2025. Our churches and Christian schools should enjoy tax exemption, and under no circumstances should that tax exemption be construed as a taxpayer subsidy.

Educational Choice for Children Act	Safeguarding Charity Act
AACS Issue Brief	Text of H.R. 2896
Sample Letter to Congress	Text of S. 1428
	AACS Issue Brief
	Sample Letter to Congress

2024 Issues

In its 2024 advocacy before Congress, the top priority for ODACS was the Safeguarding Charity Act. Our question in Congressional offices was this - Should the federal tax exemption that churches and Christian schools enjoy be treated the same as if it were receipt of federal financial assistance? Our answer to that question is an emphatic NO! Additionally, ODACS was able to support a bill that would incentivize states to implement tax credit model School Choice programs.

ODACS supports the Safeguarding Charity Act and the Educational Choice for Children Act.

Safeguarding Charity Act	Educational Choice for Children Act
Text of H.R. 7027	Text of H.R. 531
Text of S. 3604	Text of S. 120
AACS Issue Brief	AACS Issue Brief
Sample Letter to Congress	Sample Letter to Congress

2022 Issues

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 8404, the so-called Respect for Marriage Act. This dangerous bill repealed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for purposes of federal law. H.R. 8404 essentially codifies "same-sex marriage," but it also allows for legal action to be taken against any person deemed to have violated the new law. For example, it is likely that pastors and churches could be subject to legal action for not agreeing to perform a wedding for a same-sex couple, and possibly even for proclaiming God's Truth regarding His design for marriage. The bill was subsequently passed by the U. S. Senate and signed by President Biden.

ODACS ministries opposed H.R. 8404.

Text of H.R. 8404

AACS Issue Brief

Sample Letter to Senator