# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Disapproval of Religious Exemption Rule

Congress is trying to block a rule that the Department of Labor recently changed regarding religious exemptions for federal contractors. Here's what that means in practical terms: The federal government requires companies that receive government contracts to follow equal opportunity employment laws, which generally prohibit discrimination. However, there's a long-standing exception that allows religious organizations to hire based on religion if the job is connected to their religious mission. The Department of Labor recently rescinded (took back) some legal guidance that had limited how broadly this religious exemption could be used.

This bill is Congress saying "we don't like that change" and trying to undo it. If this resolution passes, it would restore the stricter interpretation of the religious exemption that was in place before. In practical terms, this means federal contractors would face tighter restrictions on when they can claim a religious exemption to hire only people of their faith. For example, a religious organization receiving a government contract might not be able to use religion as a hiring criterion for positions that aren't directly tied to religious functions.

Who this affects: Religious organizations that work as federal contractors, job applicants from minority religions or no religion who apply to these organizations, and government agencies that oversee contractor compliance. The real-world impact depends on which interpretation wins—either religious organizations get more flexibility in hiring, or they face stricter limits on religious-based employment decisions for federally-funded work.

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor relating to "Rescission of Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause's Religious Exemption Rule".

Budd, Ted

 <p>This joint resolution nullifies the final rule submitted by the Department of Labor titled <em>Rescission of Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause's Religious Exemption Rule</em>. This rule, which became effective March 31, 2023, rescinded a rule that became effective January 8, 2021. The rule that became effective in 2021 expanded the religious exemption to the prohibition on federal contractors and subcontractors discriminating in employment decisions based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or other factors.</p>