
The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, Interfaith Alliance and Texas Impact, an interfaith grassroots network, sent school districts across Texas a letter signed by more than 100 Texas chaplains urging school leaders to reject the chaplain law. But Texas lawmakers who voted to approve the bill said the measure was a way to support school districts facing a shortage of school counselors.

The memorandum NSPM-7 enables the administration to investigate and prosecute individuals and entities it deems to be a threat to national security. In reality, NSPM-7 is a method to suppress free speech; it is not designed to actually address national security concerns.

Just days ago, on Tuesday, November 4, I joined a determined group of faith leaders and advocates from diverse faith traditions at the United States Senate to deliver a faith letter carrying an urgent appeal: hold the line. Do not reopen the government without protecting the essential benefits people need to survive.