American Jewish Committee Hails Passage of Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 28 July 2000

The American Jewish Committee is hailing House and Senate passage last night of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).

"Passage of RLUIPA is an important step in defending the precious religious freedom of all Americans, " said Richard Foltin, legislative director of the American Jewish Committee. "It will protect religious groups from discriminatory land use laws that encroach on the free exercise of their faiths, and secure the religious liberties of institutionalized persons."

Speaking on the Senate floor before yesterday's vote, Senator Edward Kennedy praised the American Jewish Committee for its "indispensable role" in crafting the legislation.

"This bill, unanimously enacted by Congress and already endorsed by the administration, has been carefully crafted to survive constitutional scrutiny once it becomes law, " Mr. Foltin said.

The work of over 60 organizations, representing almost every faith group in America, and the leadership of Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Representatives Charles Canady (R-FL), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Chet Edwards (D-TX), culminated in these swift and decisive actions by the House and the Senate.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org