Missouri Chamber of Commerce Comes Out Against SJR39 Missouri Alliance for Freedom Responds

Jefferson City, MO – In response to yesterday’s announcement by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce of its opposition to SJR39, Missouri Alliance for Freedom issued a statement.

“Taking a position against religious liberty, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce has sacrificed small business people on the altar of political correctness. SJR39 is a responsible resolution allowing Missourians a vote to protect the First Amendment rights of small business wedding vendors and pastors concerning their religious views about marriage. That’s it. That’s all.” said Ryan Johnson, President of the Missouri Alliance for Freedom.

Missouri Alliance for Freedom and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce had been in regular communication regarding the Religious Liberty Amendment since late 2015. The Chamber of Commerce first offered a supportive to neutral tone on the resolution. Yesterday’s sudden announcement was not in alignment with our previous conversations. SJR39 has no impact on larger businesses like Monsanto, AT&T, Cerner, or Master Card.

“Their claims that SRJ39 will harm the state’s economy are ridiculous. The burden of proof is on them to demonstrate how protecting the First Amendment rights of pastors and small business wedding vendors will harm the broader Missouri economy. The Chamber of Commerce is clearly out of step with the 78% of Missourians who believe protecting pastors is the right thing to do.”

“Missouri’s pastors and priests should not be forced by the government to perform same-sex weddings in violation of their sincerely held religious beliefs. Nor should people with deeply held religious convictions be compelled to participate in same-sex weddings as vendors if it violates their beliefs.”

Missouri Alliance for Freedom is an action oriented conservative policy advocacy and legislative accountability group. MAF works primarily with the Missouri General Assembly and conservative grassroots. Its mission is advocacy and accountability. Its focus is limited government and individual liberty.

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