Religious Freedom Over Mandates Act would prevent the federal government from tracking information on individuals who receive a religious exemption to a vaccine.

"The ability for individuals to openly practice their faith without fear of retribution is a precious right we must guard closely. As if overreaching government vaccine mandates aren’t bad enough, it is highly inappropriate for federal dollars to be used to collect information about someone's religious beliefs. The only way to prevent this information from being abused is to prevent its collection in the first place, and I thank Rep. Hinson for joining me in this effort." 

Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, argued that "[a]ny form of database tracking religious beliefs flies in the face of our First Amendment—U.S. citizens are guaranteed the right to make their own medical decisions without fear of government reprisal." 

Dubbed the Religious Freedom Over Mandates Act, the bill would apply to federal funding for records systems.

It reads: "No Federal funds may be used to establish, operate, maintain, or support any system of records on religious accommodations requested by, or granted to, an employee, detailed, contractor, consultant, intern, applicant, volunteer, or any other person with respect to any COVID-19 vaccination requirement."

Summary of the Proposed Agency Rule

Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (an independent entity established within the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (hereafter “CSOSA” or “Agency”)) is issuing a public notice of its intent to create the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia Privacy Act system of records, the “Employee Religious Exception Request Information System.” This system of records maintains personal religious information collected in response to religious accommodation requests for religious exception from the federally mandated vaccination requirement in the context of a public health emergency or similar health and safety incident, such as a pandemic, epidemic, natural disaster or national or regional emergency; and/or any other lawful collection of employee information or data that is necessary to ensure a safe and healthy environment for individuals who are occupying PSA facilities, attending PSA-sponsored events, or otherwise engaged in official business on behalf of the Agency. The system of records will assist the Agency in the collection, storing, dissemination, and disposal of employee religious exemption request information collected and maintained by the Agency, as referenced above.

Should Congress pass the Religious Freedom Over Mandates Act?