Kim Davis is a mother and grandmother. The former Kentucky clerk was jailed for six days in 2015 after she refused to lend her name and title to a marriage that conflicts with God’s design for marriage. I remember visiting my client in prison with her orange prison garb. While I hugged her, my eyes began to tear, and I couldn’t speak. Kim said to me, “All is well.”

A few months later, new Governor Matt Bevin issued an executive order accommodating her religious convictions. Then in April 2016, a unanimous state legislature passed a law protecting the religious conviction of every Kentucky clerk. But this law and every other protection for clerks and magistrates could be overridden by an impending Senate vote.

HR 8404 (Respect for Marriage Act) has passed in the House and is now in the Senate. This bill will unleash nationwide attacks on any government official who does not affirm same-sex marriage. It will allow both federal and private lawsuits against them for their religious views! And it tramples upon states’ rights.

This bill will push people of faith out of public service. Rush your urgent faxes to the Senate to block this attack on our nation, on our freedom and on marriage. — Mat​​​​​​

Anne,

The judge in Kim’s case gave her an unthinkable decision: either sign her own name on same-sex “marriage” licenses or go to jail.

I will never forget the moment I saw my client in an orange prison jumpsuit. I was at a loss for words. A knot welled up in my throat as I hugged Kim. While I couldn’t speak, she said, “All is well.” Despite being held as a prisoner for her religious beliefs, Kim’s conscience remained unshackled.

Kim's story is amazing, and I have shared it many times. Several years before, Kim had visited a church on Sunday evening to satisfy the dying wish of her mother-in-law that morning. Wanting to merely check the church visit off her list, Kim and her family visited a church where she heard about the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. A broken woman, she wept and gave her life to her Lord. From that moment on, Kim would never dishonor her Lord.

The people who sued Kim Davis knew she had deep religious convictions. They could have driven five more minutes to a nearby government office to obtain a license. But they targeted Kim Davis, seeking to force her to violate her religious convictions.

Kim stood resolute in her decision not to issue any marriage certificate bearing her name and authority. While Kim’s stance landed her in jail, her courage paved the way for every clerk to be accommodated. After all, Kentucky accommodated clerks who refused to issue fishing and hunting licenses. Now religious accommodations are available because of Kim’s stand.

However, in Congress, HR 8404 has the power to erase this hard-fought victory. At the same time, it creates a double attack against anyone who shares Kim’s religious convictions about marriage. The attorney general can sue along with individuals to steamroll people like Kim.

It will punish or silence the voices of people of faith. Send faxes immediately to help fight this outrageous effort.

Under HR 8404, people like Kim must either leave public service or violate their sincere religious beliefs. If we allow this to pass, people across the nation like Kim will be forced again into this horrible position of either denying their conscience or facing multiple crippling lawsuits.

And this does not just apply to state and local clerks. It applies to any public official.

The real goal here is to silence and punish people of faith while forcing the LGBTQ agenda on everyone. This could easily force good people out of public service.

Don’t think you will escape HR 8404. Below, I paraphrase Martin Niemoller, a German pastor and theologian:

• “First they came for the county clerk, but I did not speak out because I did not issue marriage licenses.

• “Then they came for the wedding photographer, but I did not speak out because I did not photograph weddings.

• “Then they came for the baker, but I did not speak out because I was not a baker.

• “Then they came for the florist, but I said nothing because I was not a florist.

• “Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.”

   

We must stop HR 8404 now. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has invoked Rule 14, which means he can rush the bill to the floor without a Senate hearing. Send your urgent faxes to the U.S. Senate today to oppose this outrageous bill.

Not only will HR 8404 force same-sex marriage on the states, but it will also allow one state to set the marriage policy for every other state. And that means the impact goes far beyond same-sex marriage.

We have joined along with others to send a letter to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to urge him to fight this bill.

Now it’s your turn to make your voice heard. Join us in blocking this radical bill with your rushed faxes now.

Our children, our families and our freedom are all under assault. And our team is busier than ever working to preserve freedom and the sanctity of human life. Stand for freedom today by making your best possible donation. Your gift will effectively be DOUBLED by a generous Challenge Grant. Select here or the button below.

Mat Staver, Chairman

Liberty Counsel Action

Sources:

“H.R. 8404—Respect for Marriage Act.” 2022. House of Representatives Committee on Rules. July 18, 2022. Rules.house.gov/bill/117/hr-8404.

“Kim Davis, the Woman Behind Bars.” Liberty Counsel, September 4, 2015. Lc.org/newsroom/details/09015-kim-davis-the-woman-behind-bars.

s I began to cry, she said "All is well" . . .