Montana Rep Downing Co-Sponsors GRACE Act Protecting Religious Vaccine Exemptions

HELENA — Montana Representative Troy Downing has joined as an original cosponsor of federal legislation that would prohibit educational institutions from receiving federal funding unless they provide religious exemptions for vaccination requirements.

The Guaranteeing Religious Accommodation in Childhood Education (GRACE) Act, introduced Friday by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) with 14 cosponsors including Downing, specifically targets schools that maintain vaccination requirements for enrollment, attendance, participation in athletics, or other student activities.

Under the bill’s provisions, schools would lose federal education funding unless they maintain policies allowing individuals to claim religious exemptions by simply asserting that receiving a vaccination would violate a sincerely held religious belief. Notably, the legislation prohibits schools from requiring any documentation to support such religious claims.

“Freedom of speech and religion is the most sacred right guaranteed under our Constitution,” said Rep. Steube. “No student or their family should ever be coerced into sacrificing their faith or jumping through loopholes to comply with a vaccine requirement.”

The legislation applies to elementary schools, secondary schools, local educational agencies, and state educational agencies as defined under federal education law. It covers vaccination requirements for children under 18 as well as employees of educational institutions.

Downing’s cosponsorship aligns with Montana’s ongoing legislative battles over parental rights and medical freedom. The Montana Veterans Association previously endorsed the GRACE Act in an opinion piece published by Western Montana News, advocating for legislation that would honor veterans and preserve parental rights.

During recent legislative sessions, state lawmakers have grappled with similar issues, including House Bill 371, which sought to ban mRNA vaccines for humans but failed on the House floor by a narrow margin.

The legislation addresses a disparity among states regarding religious exemptions. Currently, 46 states allow religious exemptions for vaccination requirements, while California, New York, Maine, and Connecticut do not recognize such exemptions for school attendance.

“Four states — CA, NY, ME, CT — refuse to recognize the right to religious exemption from vaccination for school children,” said Mary Holland, president of Children’s Health Defense, one of more than 50 organizations supporting the bill. “This Act provides incentive for these outlier states to join with the other 46 to protect the most vital right under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.”

The complete list of cosponsors includes Reps. Mary Miller (R-Iowa), Dan Webster (R-Fla.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.), and Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.).

Supporting organizations include Moms for Liberty, Global Wellness Forum, Guiding the Impact, and Children’s Health Defense.

“Moms for Liberty believes that parents have the right to raise their children how they see fit,” the organization stated. “The GRACE Act supports this by affirming parental rights, defending First Amendment freedoms, and promoting fair and equal access to education.”