03/29/2024

Rep. Robert Pittenger

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Rep. Robert Pittenger

WASHINGTON – Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) is urging House Republicans to take “any necessary legislative actions” to protect the 64-year-old “parsonage allowance” which helps pastors serve our communities.

In today’s letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (TX-08) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (VA-06), Congressman Pittenger highlights a 2017 federal court ruling against the longstanding parsonage allowance:

“Recently, an atheist-led group sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to eliminate a 64-year-old tax provision, the Parsonage allowance. As you may know, the Parsonage allowance is a tax-exempt housing allowance under section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code for which clergy, and other religious leaders are eligible.

“In 2017, a federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the Parsonage allowance unconstitutional, holding that the allowance violates the Establishment Clause. The Federal Court’s decision has been appealed by the Trump Administration, with oral arguments expected later this year.

“The Parsonage allowance allows religious leaders to live near their congregation and serve the community around them. This allowance follows the same tax principle that permits our military, overseas workers, and other employees across various industries to receive compensation for their housing costs.”

Congressman Pittenger’s letter was co-signed by United States Representatives Luke Messer (IN-06), Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), David Roe (TN-01), Bill Posey (FL-08), Jody Hice (GA-10), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Steven Pearce (NM-02), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Ralph Abraham (LA-05), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Steve King (IA-04), Jim Banks (IN-03), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Matt Gaetz (FL-01), and Randy Weber (TX-14).

Congressman Pittenger concludes the letter by writing: “We encourage you to continue to take any necessary legislative actions to continue treating our nation’s selfless leaders fairly, and continue to support the Parsonage allowance, to protect the religious freedoms on which our nation was founded.”

A copy of the letter is attached to this press release.

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