In a clash over federal policy and religious rights, a coalition of 19 Republican attorneys general, led by Alabama’s Steve Marshall, has taken a stand against a new Biden administration rule regarding foster care.

They argue that this rule, titled “Safe and Appropriate Foster Care Placement Requirements,” not only undermines the religious freedoms of Christian families but also threatens the stability of the foster care system across the United States.

The central issue is a mandate within the rule that foster parents and families must respect a foster child’s chosen pronouns, name, and clothing that aligns with their self-identified gender identity.

The attorneys general, in a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, assert that this rule discriminates against Christian beliefs and practices, echoing a sentiment from the Supreme Court’s 2021 Fulton v. City of Philadelphia decision.

In that case, the court found that Philadelphia’s refusal to work with a Catholic social services group, which would not certify same-sex couples as foster parents, was a violation of the First Amendment.

The attorneys general’s letter highlights the potential negative impacts of the rule on the foster care system.

They claim it will limit available foster homes, disrupt kinship placements, and strain state resources.

Furthermore, they argue that the rule indirectly attempts to exclude faith-based providers from foster care, a move they liken to unconstitutional actions.

The letter draws attention to the crucial role of faith-based organizations and Christian families in the foster care system.

Citing examples from Arkansas and New Mexico, they demonstrate the significant contributions of these groups in providing foster homes.

The letter also references studies showing that foster parents recruited through religious organizations tend to foster children for longer periods, and that practicing Christians are notably more inclined to consider fostering.

The attorneys general emphasize the Christian duty of caring for children in need and warn of the crippling effect on the foster care system if Christian families are deterred from participating.

They call on the federal government to focus on increasing, not decreasing, the number of foster homes.

Attorney General Marshall specifically criticizes President Biden for what he terms as harassment of states like Alabama.

He accuses the administration of threatening to withhold federal funding unless they conform to its ideology.

Marshall’s strong statement to Fox News Digital underscores his commitment to defending Alabama’s faith-based foster care and adoption community against this federal mandate, affirming the long-standing Christian tradition of providing homes to children in need.

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