Noting the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Executive Order barring government contractors from discrimination in employment practices, the Baptist Joint Committee joined dozens of religious and civil liberty organizations in sending a letter to President Obama, urging him to roll back an exemption that allows federal money to fund jobs subject to religious discrimination. President George W. Bush signed that exception in 2002.
We ask…that you take this opportunity to celebrate this civil rights landmark anniversary by restoring Executive Order 11246 to its original form, reinstating the anti-discrimination provision for all organizations. The traditional safeguard protecting against discrimination in government-funded jobs is particularly critical in government contracts. The government, in purchasing necessary goods and services for its own use, must not fund discrimination. President John F. Kennedy explained the importance of guaranteeing equal opportunity in government contracts: “[I]t is the plain and positive obligation of the United States Government to promote and ensure equal opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin, employed or seeking employment . . . on government contracts. . . .” From 1941 until 2002 this had been the law of the land. And since 1941, our values have reflected a strong commitment to ensuring that no one is disqualified from government- funded jobs because of his or her religion.
Controversy surrounding religious discrimination in hiring with government funds has dogged this administration since President Obama’s Inauguration. Executive inaction on this issue has been a disappointment. But it’s never too late to start doing the right thing. The 70th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 8802 sounds like as good a time as any.
Here’s hoping the President’s advisers are listening.
