FRC Action Sees Signs of Massive Turnout Among Values Voters

Values Voter Summit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — Family Research Council Action says evidence suggests massive Election Day turnout among values voters. In the last 14 months FRC Action’s Values Bus has crisscrossed the country campaigning for values in 28 states. The Values Bus was greeted by enthusiastic crowds as it spent the final weekend of this election cycle in Ohio.

FRC Action President, Tony Perkins spoke at a church in Dayton, Ohio Sunday morning and a church in Springdale, Ohio on Sunday evening.

“In my almost twenty years involved in politics, I have never seen values voters so energized,” said Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins. ”This level of intensity is clearly driven by this administration’s policies that are so hostile to religious freedom. The Obamacare’s mandates are a clear infringement on religious freedom.

“President Obama talks about the freedom of worship which is what we do within the four walls of the church.   However, values voters are concerned about the freedom of religion which is the ability to live your life according to the teachings of your faith. These voters see that freedom of religion is under attack by this President. I would not be surprised to see tomorrow’s turnout of values voters eclipse what we saw in 2004,” concluded Perkins.

This year, in advance of the election:

·         FRC has helped register nearly 500,000 new values voters and distributed millions of voter guides through FRC’s allies and its network of more than 18,000 churches.

·         FRC hosted a major simulcast, “iPledge Sunday 2012,” which reached over 6,000 churches and home groups and aired on Christian television networks across the country.

·         FRC has been touring the country this year with the Heritage Foundation for the “Your Money, Your Values, Your Vote” Values Bus tour. The tour has traveled more than 70,000 miles through 28 states over the last 14 months.

·         Faith Family Freedom Fund launched the “Repeal and Replace McCaskill” bus tour in Missouri to raise awareness about Sen. Claire McCaskill’s far left voting record.

·         Faith Family Freedom Fund spent over $550,000 on TV and radio ads in closely contested congressional races.

·         FRC Action hosted its annual Values Voter Summit, the largest gathering of social conservatives every year in Washington, D.C.

For a list of candidates endorsed by FRC Action PAC, click here: www.frcactionpac.org/endorsements

On Election night, Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins, along with FRC’s Senior Fellow Ken Blackwell and FRC Action PAC President Connie Mackey are available to discuss the presidential race, state races where FRC Action PAC and the Faith Family Freedom Fund have been invested, and the marriage ballot initiatives in Maryland, Maine, Washington and Minnesota.

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Liberty Institute Sends Letter to HHS to Clarify Family Research Council’s Requirements Under the HHS Mandate

The seal of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The symbol represents the American People sheltered in the wing of the American Eagle, suggesting the Department’s concern and responsibility for the welfare of the people. The colors are reflex blue and gold. This seal is now just used for mainly legal purposes; the department has a separate logo which is used for its visual identity. More information here and here. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

October 23, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Family Research Council (FRC) announced today that the Liberty Institute has submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on behalf of FRC, asking for clarification of whether FRC will be forced to cover sterilizations, abortifacients and contraceptives in its employee health care plans. If FRC does not hear from HHS by November 5, FRC will consider legal action challenging the enforcement of the HHS employer mandate.

J. Michael Johnson, senior counsel at the Liberty Institute, notes in the letter that “FRC believes that it should qualify as an exempt religious employer, but under the strict definition provided in the amended interim final regulations issued and made effective in August 2011, it may not. Because the precise application and final scope of the religious employer exemption remains ambiguous, we are hereby requesting a formal determination by the Department of Health and Human Services on whether or not FRC will be made to comply with the mandate. If you determine the religious exemption does apply to FRC, a legal challenge may be avoided.”

Johnson and Liberty Institute already serve as counsel on pending federal court litigation challenging Obamacare on behalf of other religious institutions. “If FRC is forced to comply with this unconscionable mandate, we will be happy to file an immediate challenge on its behalf,” said Johnson.

Of the letter FRC President Tony Perkins made the following comments:

“It is unbelievable that there is even a need to submit such a letter, since FRC and many religious organizations like it around the country should be recognized as such by the Obama administration. Religious bookstores, universities, and many other Christian-owned businesses have already been targeted, and many are fighting back in court against this unconstitutional attack on religious liberty. If HHS responds to this letter by insisting we comply with this unconstitutional mandate, then we will pursue other options to defend our religious liberty.

“Family Research Council will not comply with a mandate that forces us to violate the statement of faith that every employee agrees to. We are committed to repealing and replacing President Obama’s unjust health care law, which uses taxpayer dollars for abortion, further burdens American families, raises taxes and restricts religious liberty,” concluded Perkins.

To read the letter, click here:
http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF12J56.pdf

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Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin Joins Family Research Council As Executive Vice President

William G. Boykin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Family Research Council President Tony Perkins is pleased to announce today that Lt. Gen. (USA Ret.) William G. “Jerry” Boykin has joined Family Research Council as its Executive Vice President. In this role, he will oversee day-to-day operations including policy, finance, development, communications, human resources, facilities, information technology, constituent communications and services.

Of Boykin, Perkins said:

“We are very excited and pleased to announce that Lt. General Boykin is joining Family Research Council’s leadership team,” said FRC President Tony Perkins, a Marine veteran. “The depth of his leadership skills, forged under the most demanding circumstances, combined with his passion for faith, family and freedom, will greatly enhance FRC’s effectiveness and impact in Washington and beyond.”

General Boykin was one of the original members of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force. He was privileged ultimately to command these elite warriors in combat operations. Later, Jerry Boykin commanded all the Army’s Green Berets as well as the Special Warfare Center and School. His last four years in the Army were spent in Washington, D.C. as the U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence.

“I am honored to join the country’s premier Christian public policy organization dedicated to strengthening the family, defending life and advancing freedom,” said Boykin. “As I ponder the future that my six grandchildren will grow up in, I realize how important it is that I do my part to restore the values that made America a great nation. This is why I am honored to help advance Family Research Council’s mission of faith, family and freedom.”

Additionally Lt. Gen. Boykin will assist FRC in its expanded role of advocating for the men and women who continue to serve in our nation’s military.

“The Obama administration has undermined our nation’s security and increased the risk to those who serve by systematically using our nation’s military to advance a liberal social agenda. There is no one better equipped to speak on behalf of those who serve our nation in uniform and advocate for policies that uphold our national security than General Boykin,” concluded Perkins.

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FRC Statement on Verdict in Rutgers University Case

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today,

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, a former Rutgers University student was found guilty of invasion of privacy. The student had been charged after his roommate, Tyler Clementi, committed suicide after learning that Ravi had used a webcam to watch his sexual encounter with another man.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

“Today’s verdict is another opportunity for all Americans to speak out against the behavior of anyone who would abuse another person – especially a child – because of his/her sexuality or any other reason. This is a complete violation of Jesus’s commandment to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Family Research Council believes that every individual deserves equal protection, and every offender should receive equal punishment.

“Unfortunately, some pro-homosexual activists would exploit the personal tragedies of these families to promote a political agenda. Some have even laid blame not on the actual bullies but on Christian churches and conservative politicians. It’s wrong to politicize these tragedies. Instead, we should focus on preventing the bullying of young people-for their sexual orientation, appearance, religion, or any other reason,” concluded Perkins.

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FRC Action Criticizes Senate Vote Opposing Blunt Amendment to Preserve Religious Liberty

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Family Research Council Action (FRC Action), the legislative advocacy arm of the Family Research Council, criticized the U.S. Senate vote today against Senator Roy Blunt’s “

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” amendment. The amendment would have restored the status quo on conscience rights prior to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and protect against the recent mandate on abortifacients, sterilization and contraceptives by the Obama administration’s Department of Health and Human Services.

FRC Action will score the vote in its annual scorecard.

Of the vote, FRC Action President Tony Perkins said:

“Today, 51 senators, led by Sen. Harry Reid, sacrificed the Constitutional right of religious liberty on the altar of the Obama administration’s radical big-government agenda. They turned a deaf ear to the very real religious and moral objections of millions of Americans and the First Amendment rights of all.

“We thank Democrat Senators Joe Manchin, Robert Casey and Ben Nelson for standing up to their caucus and fighting for religious liberty. Their vote for Sen. Blunt’s bill, along with support from Republican Senators ranging from pro-life Senator Kelly Ayotte to pro-abortion Senator Susan Collins showed that this is not about women’s health but about whether the government can violate religious liberties.

“The President and Congress need to wake up and realize that they have run into an immovable wall of principle that religious liberties are still in fact fundamental rights in this country. No political machinations they attempt will surmount the unshakeable religious and moral convictions of those of us opposing this government mandate.

“We urge the House of Representatives to pass Congressman Jeff Fortenberry’s legislation and send it back to the Senate as Americans increasingly realize that their fundamental religious liberties are being threatened.”

News Conference Today: FRC Releases Letter Signed by 2,500 Religious Leaders Opposing Contraceptive Mandate

NASHVILLE, Feb. 20, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — Today Family Research Council President Tony Perkins will lead a news conference urging President Obama to reverse his mandate decision and protect the conscience rights of those who have biblically-based opposition to funding or providing contraceptives and abortifacients. At the news conference, a letter will be released signed by over 2,500 religious leaders in opposition to the mandate.

News Conference Details—

Who:

–Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council

–Dr. Richard Land, President, Southern Baptist Convention‘s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

–Bishop Harry Jackson, Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church

What: News conference with religious leaders who oppose the Obama administration’s contraceptive and abortaficient mandate

When: Monday, February 20, 2012, 12:00 p.m. Central time

Where: Governor’s Ballroom D, National Religious Broadcasters Convention and Exposition, Gaylord Opryland Convention Center, Nashville