MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR: Humanist Lobbying on Capitol Hill

Yesterday I met Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado and Representative Chris Murphy of Connecticut to thank them personally for their co-sponsorship of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)—an issue that the American Humanist Association is actively lobbying for passage. In talking with Rep. Murphy about the chances of ENDA being passed in this session, he wasn’t optimistic due to the stronghold of conservatives in the House but believed that it could pass if we did more “reaching across the aisle.” 

The only way to ensure passage of bills like ENDA—and the success of many other bills we humanists support—is to do just that: reach across the aisle and convince conservatives to support us. That’s why I’m enthusiastic about Edwina Rogers, the new executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. Yes, she’s a Republican–but Edwina’s extensive experience in lobbying and dedication to church-state separation will ensure more bipartisan support on the issues that matter.

Rest assured the American Humanist Association is committed to lobbying for humanist values: social and economic justice, reproductive rights, LGBT equality, peace, and other progressive values. We are proud to join the Secular Coalition for America in lobbying for mainly secular issues: church-state separation and equal rights for nontheists.

I encourage everyone to follow the lobbying work of both the Secular Coalition for America and the American Humanist Association. We are your voice in Washington DC.

Maggie Ardiente
Editor, HNN