Congressional Freethought Caucus Members Write to Speaker Johnson Over Constitutional, Ethical, and Human Rights Concerns with National Prayer Breakfast

Members cite ties to anti-LGBTQ+ extremists, broader constitutional violations of church-state separation

January 30, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), and Sean Casten (IL-06) sent a letter to Speaker Johnson to express concerns about funding for the National Prayer Breakfast from anti-LGBTQ+ extremists at the Fellowship Foundation and about the broader constitutional problem with institutionalizing a religious ceremony in the secular Capitol.

“As members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, we are steadfast in our commitment to the constitutional principles of religious freedom and church-state separation. We strive for the inclusive representation of all Americans, regardless of one’s faith perspective,” the members wrote.

The letter highlights five key concerns with the event:

  1. Anti-LGBTQI+ Advocacy
  2. Foreign Influence and Back Channels
  3. Undermining Church-State Separation
  4. Inappropriate Use of Statuary Hall
  5. Intersection with Christian Nationalist Events

The letter urges Speaker Johnson to consider these concerns and take appropriate action to address the constitutional, ethical, and human rights issues associated with the National Prayer Breakfast and its sponsors.

Read the full text of the letter here.

###