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The 'Big Lie' Strategy: Religious Right Stokes False Fears of Religious Persecution

On February 5, 2009, the U.S. Senate took up an amendment introduced by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) to strip church-state protections from the stimulus bill. The amendment failed 43 to 54 after DeMint repeated the inflammatory claims he had been making all week and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) swiftly and effectively refuted them. The creation of a phony crisis that DeMint's amendment was supposed to solve is a case study of Religious Right leaders' strategic use of false alarms about threats to religious liberty &emdash; and of the willingness of right-wing media and elected officials to play along. Watch now, in the wake of the amendment’s defeat, for Religious Right leaders to use the vote as "evidence" that Democrats are hostile to people of faith and to try to undermine support from religious Americans for the new administration.

Obama Should Stick to Constitutional Principles on Faith Based Programs

President Obama today announced that he will create a White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, but did not use the same opportunity to rescind the Bush-administration policy making it legal for recipients of faith-based funding to discriminate in providing services. People For the American Way is disappointed by news reports indicated that he would ask the Justice Department to review the policy which allows those same organizations to discriminate in hiring.

Eric Holder Confirmed as Attorney General

By a vote of 75 to 21, the Senate today confirmed Eric Holder to the office of Attorney General. People For the American Way president Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "Today's vote was an enormous step forward in our fight to restore the rule of law to the Department of Justice. Now it's time to get to work repairing the damage that has been done to the DOJ over the last eight years. Eric Holder has the integrity, the intelligence, and the independence to address the enormous challenges we face, and we look forward to working with him to ensure that our government stays true to the core constitutional values of equality and justice for all."

President Signs Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

President Barack Obama today signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, legislation that repairs the damage done by the Supreme Court's decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear. People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert was present at the signing, and issued the following statement:

Holder Nomination Approved By Judiciary Committee

By a vote of 17 to 2, the Senate Judiciary Committee today overwhelmingly approved the nomination of Eric Holder to be Attorney General of the United States. The nomination will now go to the full Senate. People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "Eric Holder's nomination is heading to the floor with the strong bipartisan support of the Judiciary Committee, just as it should. After the last eight years, the reputation of the Department of Justice is in tatters, and it will take someone like Eric Holder to restore it. Holder's confirmation has been delayed long enough. The full Senate should quickly confirm this nomination so we can begin to restore justice to the DOJ."

Dozens of Advocacy Groups Line Up to Support Eric Holder

PFAW joined more than 65 religious, human rights, social and economic justice organizations in issuing a letter to the leaders of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, urging the Senate to confirm Eric Holder as Attorney General without delay. "The groundswell of support that Eric Holder has received is a testament to his unquestionable qualifications for this office," said PFAW President Kathryn Kolbert. The letter cites Holder's "integrity, independence, reputation, experience, judgment, inclusiveness, and temperament" in making their endorsement, calling Holder a "stellar nominee."

Two Key Pay Equity Bills Pass the House

PFAW President Kathryn Kolbert released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 11, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and H.R. 12, Paycheck Fairness Act in the House: "Two years after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of corporations over workers in discrimination cases, the House today corrected that mistake and brought justice to employees like Lilly Ledbetter who deserve restitution for unlawful pay discrimination. It's clear that the Supreme Court has lurched dangerously to the right, and Bush's new Justices have brought their political agenda to bear on the cases they hear. In November, the American people spoke loud and clear and voted to restore checks and balances. Today, we're seeing this come to fruition."

High Court to Hear Voting Rights Case

The Supreme Court today announced that it would hear Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Mukasey. People For the American Way, on behalf of its members, is an intervenor defendant in the case. PFAW President Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "I'm extremely disappointed that the Supreme Court has decided not to affirm outright the lower court decision upholding the constitutionality of the pre-clearance provision of the Voting Rights Act. It's another reminder of how far to the right the Court has moved that this decades old civil rights legislation is now in jeopardy despite having been found constitutional by the very same court in the past. The Voting Rights Act is a landmark in our nation's struggle to move beyond the poisonous racism of our past, and it remains a necessary protection for vulnerable communities."

People For Statement on Justice Department Nominations

President-elect Barack Obama today announced a strong slate of nominees to fill critical Department of Justice positions including that of Elena Kagan, Dean of Harvard Law School, as Solicitor General of the United States. PFAW President Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "Americans concerned with justice should be very pleased about today's nominations, including Elena Kagan to be Solicitor General. Kagan's legal skills are only matched by her commitment to the Constitutional values at the core of our nation. This announcement sends a clear message that the politicization of the Department of Justice is coming to an end. It's a great relief to know that our laws will again be enforced with honesty and integrity."

People For the American Way 'Profoundly Disappointed' that Rick Warren Will Give Invocation

People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert responded today to the news that Rev. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church will deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama: "It is a grave disappointment to learn that pastor Rick Warren will give the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Obama. I'm sure that Warren's supporters will portray his selection as an appeal to unity by a president who is committed to reaching across traditional divides, but the sad truth is that this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans."

Supreme Court Takes Detainee Case

The Supreme Court today decided to hear the case of Ali al-Marri, a U.S. resident who has been held without charge by the federal government for more than five years. The case will determine whether the president can order the indefinite military detention of people living in the United States. PFAW President Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "Despite its shift to the right, the Supreme Court has still proved itself willing to check the excessive power of the executive branch. I'm hopeful that the Court will stand up for the Constitution yet again, and place some meaningful limits on abuses of presidential power."

Kennedy Steps Down From Judiciary Committee

In response to Senator Kennedy's departure from the Senate Judiciary Committee, People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "During his years on the Judiciary Committee, Senator Kennedy proved himself to be one of the Constitution's staunchest defenders. His passion for justice and his deep commitment to equality under the law have helped to better our nation in countless ways. Although we look forward to working with Chairman Leahy and the other members of the committee, we will miss Senator Kennedy’s presence immeasurably. He is irreplaceable."

Holder: A Solid Pick for Attorney General

President-elect Barack Obama today announced his decision to nominate Eric Holder to be Attorney General in the new administration. People For the American Way president Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "After so many years of scandal and mismanagement at the Justice Department, we’re happy to see Eric Holder nominated for the top job. The Department of Justice should be a vigorous advocate of the rule of law. Under the Bush administration, it has been used as an ideological bludgeon. It's going to take a great deal of work to restore the credibility and authority of the Department of Justice, especially the civil rights division. Eric Holder is a solid choice for the job."

Prop 8 Protest - Washington, DC - Nov. 15, 2008

People For the American Way joined thousands of protesters to stand against Prop 8 and for marriage equality.

Blaming Black Voters for Prop 8 Loss is Wrong and Destructive

The LGBT-equality movement should recognize that its real enemies are the Religious Right organizations and leaders who oppose gay and lesbian equality and who devise and fund strategies like Prop 8. And we must commit now to building long-term partnerships with equality-affirming African American clergy and community leaders that will allow us to advance the progressive values that we share.

Exit Polls Say Supreme Court Was a Winning Issue for Obama

Exit polls from CNN provided more evidence that the Supreme Court was a winning issue for Senator Barack Obama. Data from the nationwide survey of voters shows that those who called the Supreme Court a factor in their vote broke for Obama 53 to 45. Voters who called future Supreme Court appointments the most important factor went for Obama even more strongly — 57 to 41. PFAW President Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement: "This week, voters elected someone who has said he will nominate justices who will protect their personal freedoms and ensure every American equal access to justice."

Television Ads Focus on Senators' Support for Harmful Bush Supreme Court Justices

TV ads airing this week in Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Oregon focus on the harmful impact of key senators' votes to confirm Bush nominees Samuel Alito and John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court and urges them to stop supporting bad judges.

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