McCaul, Smith, Mast Demand Answers From State on Grants … – House GOP Foreign Affairs Committee

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Washington, D.C. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) sent a letter to the State Departments DRL Acting Assistant Secretary Erin Barclay and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain following numerous unanswered inquires during the 117th Congress and continued noncompliance with various document requests pertaining to the departments misguided decision to promote atheism overseas and whether this promotion is consistent with the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

In its June 8 letter, the Department states that DRL and the Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) do[] not provide funds to any organization with the aim of using such funds to promote or advance specific religious ideologies or beliefs. This statement, however, directly contradicts the language of the NOFO itself, which makes clear that the intent of the funded programs was to expand Atheists presence and influence in the relevant countries, the lawmakers wrote. Furthermore, even a cursory look into the operations and mantra of Humanists International (HI) calls the Departments claim into question.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Acting Assistant Secretary Barclay and Ambassador-at-Large Hussain,

We write to once again ask why it is in Americas interest to promote Atheism overseas, and why the Department refuses to produce certain documents that shed light on that misguided decision.

Following numerous unanswered inquiries during the 117th Congress, the Committee sent letters to the Department earlier this year regarding the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number SFOP0007977, entitled Promoting and Defending Religious Freedom Inclusive of Atheist, Humanist, Non-Practicing and Non-Affiliated Individuals. After nearly six months of silence, on June 8, 2023, the Department purported to explain the implementation of the NOFO but, in so doing, raised new questions. Then, on June 20, 2023, the Department finally produced a batch of documents related to the programs that were funded under the NOFO. This production, however, failed to answer many of the Committees previous questions and has brought to light additional concerns regarding the Departments grant review process.

In its June 8 letter, the Department states that DRL and the Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) do[] not provide funds to any organization with the aim of using such funds to promote or advance specific religious ideologies or beliefs. This statement, however, directly contradicts the language of the NOFO itself, which makes clear that the intent of the funded programs was to expand Atheists presence and influence in the relevant countries. Furthermore, even a cursory look into the operations and mantra of Humanists International (HI) calls the Departments claim into question. On its website, HI requires all of its member organizations to pay dues and support the five objectives of HI, the first of which is The Advancement of Humanism. Thus, the implementing partner itself is publicly negating the Departments claim of neutrality, by illustrating that DRL subgrantees have sectarian objectives.

Nor may the Department evade responsibility by claiming that a constitutional analysis is unwarranted, because humanism is not synonymous with religious belief. For over half a century, the courts have considered Humanism a religion protected under the Establishment Clause, and therefore held that Humanism may not be specifically promoted using aid money from the government. At least one section of HIs Application for Federal Assistance expresses HIs intent to violate that prohibition. Under Objective 2 of its program proposal, HI states it will award sub-grants for [o]rganizing events and seminars to promote the positive aspects of humanism and other ethical non-religious worldviews . . . including Atheism. Thus, in the explicit words of the implementing partner, the goal of the Department funded program is promotion of the tenets of a single belief system.

In addition to promoting Humanism and Atheism overseas, HI also works closely with member organizations that engage in American litigation to promote Humanism domestically, often to the detriment of other religious creeds. These organizations include American Humanist Association (AHA), which shares a Washington, D.C. address with HI, and American Atheists. Far from advancing religious freedom, AHA often takes actions which are antithetical to the idea of religious freedom. HIs close association with AHA speaks volumes about the true objectives of HI, and should be of grave concern to the Department.

The awarding of the DRL NOFO to HI reveals major flaws in the Departments screening process for potential constitutional violations. The Department states that Establishment Clause concerns may be raised both prior to the issuance of a grant agreement and during the implementation phase of the grant. Evidently, though, no such concerns were raised regarding HIs program proposal, leaving us perplexed.

The Departments efforts to combat religious persecution abroad do not entitle the Department to promote particular religions using taxpayer funds.

With these concerns in mind, we ask you to address the following questions and comply with the following document requests:

Thank you for your assistance with this request for further information. We also reiterate our expectation for agency officials previously identified to sit for transcribed interviews and reserve the right use compulsory process in the event they fail to appear voluntarily. We look forward to your prompt reply.

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McCaul, Smith, Mast Demand Answers From State on Grants ... - House GOP Foreign Affairs Committee