Rep. Duncan hails a victory for religious liberty

U-S Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03) applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on their decision to protect religious liberty in South Carolina for faith-based foster and adoption services. According to a Duncan statement issued in Washington, “Faith-based foster and adoption services perform amazing work for communities in South Carolina and around the country. These organizations care deeply about children and families in need, and they shouldn’t be punished by the federal government because of their faith. Duncan called attention to Miracle Hill ministries with facilities in Pickens and other upstate counties. Here is the HHS Statement: “Today, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) granted a request from the state of South Carolina to protect the religious liberty of its state faith-based foster care providers. Nine days before the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, the Obama Administration implemented a new regulation adding various new requirements — some of which are not reflected in the statutes authorizing the regulation — for federal funding recipients, including child welfare grantees. The governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster, asked ACF to grant the state an exception, highlighting discrimination against faith-based organizations arising from the December 2016 grants regulation, which became effective in January 2017. It is a well-established process under HHS regulations that states can request an exception. HHS’s grants regulation establishes that any grantee can seek an exception (or deviation) from particular grant requirements, and sets forth a process for seeking such exceptions.”