AG Paxton: California’s Travel Ban Undermines National Unity; Violates U.S. Constitution by Punishing Those Who Respect Religious Liberty

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed an original action against the State of California in the United States Supreme Court, seeking to strike down California’s travel ban for states that uphold First Amendment protections for religious liberty. California added Texas to the ban on state-funded travel after the Texas Legislature implemented a law allowing faith-based foster care and adoption agencies to decline placements that violated their religious beliefs. Texas respects and honors the religious beliefs of its citizens. California lawmakers do not. As a co-author of California’s travel ban admitted, they see religious beliefs as nothing more than “code to discriminate against different people.”    

Texas partners with a diverse array of agencies to expand the number of safe and loving homes available to children. California’s opposition to diverse and inclusive options for foster children, along with its decision to utilize commerce as a tool of economic warfare, divide the nation and demonstrate a disregard for the safety and well-being of Texas children.   

“California is attempting to punish Texans for respecting the right of conscience for foster care and adoption providers. And as the U.S. Supreme Court said recently in upholding the religious liberty of artist Jack Phillips, disparaging religious beliefs like the California Legislature did here, ‘as merely rhetorical – something insubstantial and even insincere,’ is inappropriate for any entity charged with enacting fair and neutral laws,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The law California opposes does not prevent anyone from contributing to child-welfare; in fact, it allows our state to partner with as many different agencies as possible to expand the number of safe and loving homes available to foster children. Boycotting states based on nothing more than political disagreement breaks down the ability of states to serve as laboratories of democracy while still working together as one nation—the very thing our Constitution intended to prevent.”  

President Donald J. Trump Is Devoted To Protecting American Freedoms And Promoting American Values

“In America, we believe in the majesty of freedom and the dignity of the individual.” – President Donald J. Trump

DEFENDING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: President Donald J. Trump is a steadfast advocate for religious liberty.

• President Trump is committed to protecting the liberty and freedom of our religious communities, organizations, and students.  
• The Trump Administration issued new guidance to protect religious liberty and expression in public schools.
  
  • The Administration’s action will help protect each student’s constitutional right to pray.
  
  
• The Trump Administration took crucial action to support and defend Jewish students who face anti-Semitism on college campuses.
• President
  Trump reversed the Obama-era policy that prevented the government from
  providing disaster relief to religious organizations.
• The
  President signed an Executive Order establishing the Faith and
  Opportunity Initiative, which recognizes and promotes the essential
  contributions of faith-based organizations.

PROTECTING INNOCENT LIFE: President Trump is the most fearless pro-life president in American history.

• Since his first day in office, President Trump has taken historic action to protect the sanctity of every American life.
• President Trump has urged Congress to pass legislation banning the horrendous practice of late-term abortion.
• Last year, President Trump took action to end Federal research using fetal tissue from abortions.
• Shortly
  after taking office, President Trump issued a memorandum reinstating
  and expanding the Mexico City Policy, banning funding to organizations
  that provide abortion overseas.
• The Trump Administration issued a rule preventing Title X family planning funds from supporting the abortion industry.
• President Trump became the first sitting president to address the annual March for Life rally.

STANDING UP FOR AMERICANS’
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: President Trump is a strong champion and defender
of Americans’ First and Second Amendment rights.

• President
  Trump signed an Executive Order promoting free speech and inquiry at
  colleges and universities receiving Federal research or education
  grants.
• President
  Trump held the first ever Presidential Social Media Summit to celebrate
  and promote freedom of speech on social media platforms.
• 
  The President has made clear that he will always stand up for Americans’ Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms.
  

AG Paxton Joins 14-State Coalition in Defense of Religious Liberty

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton and 13 other states filed a friend-of-the-court brief in defense of religious liberty after a Colorado district court determined that privately owned businesses can be fined for declining to provide services that violate their religious beliefs. The U.S. Constitution prohibits governments from forcing individuals to violate their religious beliefs.  

Colorado currently has an unconstitutional law barring any place of public accommodation from refusing services because of sexual orientation or publishing notice of intent to refuse services because of sexual orientation, which directly violates the First Amendment. In this case, Lorie Smith, the owner and sole employee of 303 Creative LLC, which provides custom graphic and website design services, challenged the law prohibiting her from refusing to create custom websites that violate her religious beliefs.   

“The State of Colorado has repeatedly persecuted people of faith who wish only to conduct their business in line with their sincerely-held beliefs. Ms. Smith has not committed any illegal act, and the district court’s decision should be immediately reversed,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The Constitution requires the government to respect the religious beliefs of its citizens, but the rigid secular orthodoxy of the Colorado elites has been allowed to trample on this specifically protected freedom and destroy people’s livelihood. Religious persecution of innocent people must end.” 

This case is strikingly similar to that of Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, who faced charges for refusing to create a custom cake that violated his religious beliefs. The U.S. Supreme Court resoundingly ruled in Mr. Phillips’ favor and pointed out that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had disparaged Phillips’ religious beliefs.  

To view a copy of the amicus brief, click here.