Top Senate Republicans have announced that they plan to reintroduce a staunchly anti-gay religious freedom bill in the new year.
They believe the bill has a better chance of being approved by Congress and signed into law since Donald Trump has been elected president.
The First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) enables individuals and corporations to to discriminate against gay people in the name of religious freedom.
Trump vowed during his campaign to sign the First Amendment Defense Act, arguing it would “protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Catholics and the beliefs of Americans of all faiths.”
Utah Senator Mike Lee plans to reintroduce the bill which would protect those with a “deeply held religious belief” who are opposed to same-sex marriage.
“Hopefully November’s results will give us the momentum we need to get this done next year,” Lee’s spokesman, Conn Carroll, told BuzzFeed.
“We do plan to reintroduce FADA next Congress and we welcome Trump’s positive words about the bill.”
Senator Ted Cruz added: “The prospects for protecting religious freedom are brighter now than they have been in a long time. We are having ongoing conversations with our colleagues both in Congress and leaders in the new administration about a multitude of ways we can honor the commitment made to the voters in this last election.”
