The Payroll Protection Program was a good idea to help boost the economy by funding small businesses during the pandemic. Unfortunately, allowing the Small Business Administration to grant federal taxpayer funds to multi-billion-dollar, international nonprofit corporations with hundreds of thousands of employees is a significant violation of the Constitution’s First Amendment establishment clause. Why is it a First Amendment violation? Because these multi-billion dollar, international nonprofit corporations with hundreds of thousands of employees are religious institutions. The most recent federal stimulus package of $350 billion allows the Small Business Administration to make forgivable financial loans to churches and nonprofits that are constitutionally ineligible to receive federal financial support. In this context, the word “loan” is a misnomer, as there is no expectation for businesses that receive funds through the PPP to reimburse the federal government. Loans with no payback provision are grants. Some say these federal grants are temporary, and no long-lasting harm would result. Compare that argument with the statement Vice President Mike Pence made during a conference call with Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian policy and lobbying organization. Pence was concerned that not only were in-person donations to churches down right […]
