"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." First Amendment, The Constitution of the United States of America

The United States Constitution grants all Americans freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. That's an important distinction. While we go to great lengths to ensure that the church doesn't intrude upon the government, we fail to stop the government from intruding upon the church and those who exercise their religious freedom.

The Founding Fathers rightly crafted the Constitution in such a way that there was a careful balance between not allowing a particular denomination or faith to control government yet at the same time creating a government where God could be acknowledged.

Prayer has played such an important role in the life of this nation from its earliest beginnings. I am thankful for the opportunity to express my beliefs in a nation that celebrates religious freedom and tolerance. When you witness the strife in other parts of the world you realize how special it is to have the right to pray without fear of intrusion by the government.

As Thomas Jefferson stated in his second inaugural address on March 4, 1805, "In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the General Government." It's imperative that we remain true to the Constitution and the belief of our Founding Fathers and protect the religious freedom of those who choose to worship as well as those who choose not to.

I'm also an advocate for international human rights and religious freedom as a member of the Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, the International Religious Freedom Caucus and the Sudan Caucus.