Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) is taking a stand against a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that could discriminate against foster parents who do not affirm LGBT ideology. Hyde-Smith is cosponsoring the Protecting Religious Freedom for Foster Families Act (S.3935) along with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), which aims to prevent the implementation of this rule.

Hyde-Smith emphasized the importance of protecting religious freedoms for foster families, stating, “Some people are called by God to serve children through the ministry of foster care, so we should be doing all we can to protect their religious freedoms and allow them to host children in loving and faithful environments.”

Senator Marshall also voiced his concerns, saying, “All children in foster care, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserve safe and proper placement. This extreme proposal by the HHS instead discriminates against faith-based homes and loving foster parents in pursuit of pushing their radical gender ideology and pronoun politics on religious families.”

The proposed rule by HHS has faced criticism for potentially excluding faith-based providers and homes that do not adhere to certain ideologies. Senator Marshall highlighted the potential negative impact of the rule, especially in rural areas where there are already fewer foster care providers than children in need of safe homes.

In addition to Hyde-Smith and Marshall, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is also an original cosponsor of S.3935. A companion bill (HR.6133) has been introduced by U.S. Representative Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.-02), showing bipartisan support for protecting the rights of foster families.

The legislation follows previous efforts by Hyde-Smith, including a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra urging the withdrawal of the rule. The rule in question could potentially affect foster care services that do not comply with certain gender-related requirements.

The Protecting Religious Freedom for Foster Families Act aims to ensure that foster parents can continue providing loving and supportive environments for children in need, without facing discrimination based on their religious beliefs.