Bill · S. 2908· Senate(119-S-2908)
Lifting Local Communities Act
- Introduced
- 9/18/2025
- Last activity
- 9/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Scott
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Lifting Local Communities Act aims to ensure religious organizations are treated equally to nonreligious organizations when applying for and receiving Federal financial assistance for social services. It prohibits discrimination against these organizations based on their religious character or exercise. The bill allows religious organizations to maintain their autonomy and religious identity while providing federally funded services. It also protects their existing legal religious exemptions. If a person objects to receiving services from a religious organization, the government must provide a referral to an alternative. Finally, it allows religious organizations to sue for violations of these rights.
Yes· 3 of 18
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?+9
The bill explicitly protects the autonomy, expression, and religious exercise of organizations receiving federal funds.
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?+5
Protects the right of religious organizations to maintain their mission statements and religious symbols.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+5
Protects the ability of religious organizations to express their beliefs through mission statements and symbols.
The opposite· 3 of 9
Would LGBTQ people be better off under this?-7
The bill explicitly protects exemptions from the Civil Rights Act and allows employment based on religious tenets.
Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people?-6
The bill preserves religious exemptions from the Civil Rights Act and allows employment decisions based on religious tenets.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?-6
Ensures that religious organizations maintain exemptions from the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Service Options: Individuals and families in need may have more choices for receiving federally funded social services because more religious organizations can enter or expand their efforts in providing these services (Section 2).
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Equal Access for Organizations: Religious organizations can compete for Federal financial assistance on the same basis as private nonreligious organizations, ensuring they are not disqualified based on their religious affiliation (Section 3(b)).
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Protection of Religious Freedom: Religious organizations can receive Federal funds without having to remove religious symbols from their facilities or change their mission statements (Section 3(c)).
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Referral to Alternatives: If a person has an objection to the religious character of an organization providing services, the government must provide a referral to an alternative service of substantially similar value (Section 3(d)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Employment Decisions: Religious organizations may select or dismiss employees based on the employee's adherence to the organization's religious tenets (Section 3(c)(2)(D)).
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Limited Program Modifications: Programs funded by Federal financial assistance can refuse to modify program components to accommodate a person participating in the program (Section 3(d)(2)).
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Preservation of Exemptions: Religious organizations maintain exemptions from certain laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act, even when receiving Federal funds (Section 3(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Religious Freedom+9Improves Freedom Of Speech+5Improves Poverty Reduction+4Improves Childcare Affordability+3Improves Affordable Housing+2Reduces Homelessness+2Improves L G B T Q Rights-6Improves Disability Rights-5Improves Gender Equality-4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Children+2Good For Retirees+2Good For Seniors+2Good For L G B T Q Community-7Good For People With Disabilities-6Good For Women-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+3Improves Opioid Crisis Response+3Improves Healthcare Access+2Improves Abortion Access-5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+5Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights-4Improves Government Transparency-2
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina