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HR 1308 103th Congress House

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993

Official title: To protect the free exercise of religion.

Introduced: March 11, 1993 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Administrative remediesCivil actions and liabilityGovernment spendingJudicial review of administrative acts
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 Everywhere this bill has been 28 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 16, 1993
Became Public Law No: 103-141.
Nov 16, 1993
Signed by President.
Nov 5, 1993
Presented to President.
Nov 3, 1993
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 3, 1993
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H8713-8715)
Nov 3, 1993
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H8713-8715)
Nov 3, 1993
Mr. Brooks asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.
Oct 27, 1993
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 27, 1993
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 578 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 97-3. Record Vote No: 331.
Oct 27, 1993
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 578 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 97-3. Record Vote No: 331.
Oct 27, 1993
Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 578 amended.
Oct 27, 1993
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S14470-14471)
May 13, 1993
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 64.
May 11, 1993
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 11, 1993
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
May 11, 1993
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
May 11, 1993
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
May 11, 1993
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2356-2363)
May 11, 1993
Mr. Brooks moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 11, 1993
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 43.
May 11, 1993
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 103-88.
Mar 24, 1993
Ordered to be Reported.
Mar 24, 1993
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 17, 1993
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Mar 17, 1993
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 16, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Mar 11, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 11, 1993
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 16, 1993

Became Public Law No: 103-141.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 - Prohibits any agency, department, or official of the United States or any State (the government) from burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except that the government may burden a person's exercise of religion only if it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person: (1) furthers a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

Sets forth provisions pertaining to judicial relief, attorney's fees, and applicability.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 578 Companion bill Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993
 Bill text 7 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 16
All 16 Democratic 11 Republican 1 Independent 1
D
Cantwell, Maria
Washington · Apr 2, 1993
 R
Crapo, Mike
Idaho · Mar 11, 1993
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Mar 11, 1993
DEUTSCH, PETER
· Mar 11, 1993
FROST, MARTIN
· Mar 11, 1993
HOUGHTON, AMO
· Mar 11, 1993
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Mfume, Kweisi
Maryland · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Mar 11, 1993
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Velázquez, Nydia M.
New York · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Waters, Maxine
California · Mar 11, 1993
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Mar 11, 1993
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1308: Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-1308/
MLA
"H.R. 1308: Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-1308/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1308, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-1308/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1308: Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-1308/)
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