Dear Pastors and Church Leaders:
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Bossier City) is the sponsor of HB 597, known as the Pastor Protection Act, which passed the Louisiana House of Representatives by an 80 – 18 vote.
However, now on the Senate side, it has been assigned to the Judiciary B Committee, where we believe a majority of members may be hostile to the bill. Unless we take a stand, it is likely that four persons on a committee can stop the bill from even being considered by the full Senate, even though it passed overwhelmingly in the House.
This legislation is important to ensure that no religious leader in our state can be forced by the government to conduct a wedding ceremony that violates his sincerely held religious beliefs. So, help us protect your pastor, as well as all pastors, priests and rabbis in our state.
Please call or write the following members of the Senate Judiciary B Committee, and politely urge them to “Please vote ‘yes’ on HB 597 and protect my pastor, as well as all pastors, priests and rabbis in the state.”
Do not be harsh — simply hearing from a large number of Louisiana Baptists should help to sway them. Also, share this information with members in your congregation and urge them to do the same – even suggest they pass it on to friends and family regardless of religious affiliations.
District 19: Sen. Gary L. Smith, Jr., Chair
(985)764-9122, smithgl@legis.la.gov
District 27: Sen. Ronnie Johns, Vice-Chair
(337)491-2016, johnsr@legis.la.gov
District 20: Sen. Norby Chabert
(985) 858-2927, chabertn@legis.la.gov
District 28: Sen. Eric LaFleur
(337) 363-5019, lafleure@legis.la.gov
District 3: Sen. J.P. Morrell
(504)284-4794, morrelljp@legis.la.gov
District 5: Sen. Karen Carter Peterson
(504)568-8346, petersonk@legis.la.gov
District 39: Sen. Gregory Tarver
(318)227-1499, tarverg@legis.la.gov
Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel, and your help in shaping critical public policies and laws.
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about HB 597, visit www.LouisianaForLiberty.com.
