Press Release - Congress Passes Defense Bill, Jones Sees Progress For Rights Of Military Chaplains

CONGRESS PASSES DEFENSE BILL, JONES SEES PROGRESS FOR RIGHTS OF MILITARY CHAPLAINS
House and Senate Approve Conference Report for National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007

Washington, DC - On Friday, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) saw progress for the restoration of the First Amendment rights of military chaplains with an agreement by House and Senate conferees on H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. The legislation sets the policies, programs and funding levels for the nation's military. The bill passed the House of Representatives Friday evening, and the Senate agreed to the conference report by unanimous consent. It now moves to the President for signature into law.

Among the many provisions of the conference report is a directive to the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force to rescind their current policies and guidelines regarding the exercise of religion, and to reinstate the policies that were previously in effect.

The conference report directs the Secretary of the Air Force to reinstate the policy of its 1999 Air Force Directive, rescinding the policy and revised interim guidelines concerning the exercise of religion issued in February 2006, and directs the Secretary of the Navy to rescind the Secretary of the Navy Instruction of February 2006 titled, "Religious Ministry within the Department of the Navy." While the 2006 Air Force and Navy guidelines prevent chaplains from praying according to their own faith and conscience in public venues, the 1999 and 2000 guidelines guarantee stronger religious freedom for military chaplains by not specifying or restricting the manner in which chaplains must pray.

"The repeal of the restrictive Air Force and Navy guidelines is a mark of progress in the effort to restore the First Amendment right of military chaplains - of all faiths - to pray as they see fit," Congressman Jones said. "Throughout our nation's history, chaplains not only have remained an integral part of our military, but they have always prayed according to their faith tradition. Chaplains have a constitutional right to adhere to the religious expressions of their faith."

"While this directive is a step in the right direction, reports that is has become increasingly difficult - in all branches of the military - for chaplains to pray according to their faith demonstrate that more must be done to guarantee the rights of military chaplains throughout the Armed Forces," Jones said. "I pledge to continue working to advance religious freedom for all members of our military."

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.

http://jones.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=452