Mandel Creates Team To Repeal Johnson Amendment

Republican State Tresurer and U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel has announced the creation of a faith outreach team whose first goal is repeal of a federal law prohibiting religious organizations and other charitable groups from backing political candidates. Mandel says the 1954 Johnson Amendment is "overreaching."  Mandel joins President Trump and some cCngressional Republicans interested in easing the amendment's restrictions prohibiting nonprofits with tax exempt status from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Opponents contend the act restricts freedom of religion and speech. Defenders say it prevents tax breaks on political spending by organizations not required to pay taxes. The U.S. Constitution mandates the separation of church and state.