Congressional Freethought Caucus

Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives

Congressional
Freethought Caucus

Co-chairs| Jared Huffman and Jamie Raskin
Founded| April 25, 2018
Ideology| Secularism
Evidence-based policy
National affiliation| Nominally:
Nonpartisan
De facto:
Democratic Party
Colors|   Blue
Seats in the Senate Democratic Caucus|

0 / 48

Seats in the Senate|

0 / 100

Seats in House Democratic Caucus|

30 / 215

(plus 1 non-voting)
Seats in the House|

30 / 435

(plus 1 non-voting)
Website
Congressional Freethought Caucus

* Politics of the United States
* Political parties
* Elections

The Congressional Freethought Caucus is a membership organization in the United States House of Representatives established to promote policy solutions based on reason and science, and to defend the secular character of government. Representatives Jared Huffman and Jamie Raskin have co-chaired the caucus since its April 2018 formation.

## Background

[edit]

See also: Discrimination against atheists

The Congressional Freethought Caucus was unveiled by Huffman during the Secular Coalition for America annual awards dinner in Washington, DC.[1] The Secular Coalition for America released a statement applauding the founding members of the caucus: "The formation of a Congressional Freethought Caucus is a milestone moment for nonreligious Americans in our continued struggle for inclusion in the political process and recognition as a constituency. We are living in a time when one-quarter of Americans identify as nonreligious and yet, despite these demographic changes, our community is still disparaged, stigmatized, and underrepresented in elected offices at every level of government. By proudly and unapologetically standing up for the nonreligious, these Members of Congress have struck a powerful blow against the de facto religious test that keeps so many secular Americans from seeking public office."[2]

According to a 2019 Gallup poll, only 60% of Americans would vote an atheist for president. This is lower than the number who would vote for an African American, Jewish, gay, or Muslim candidate.[3]

## Electoral results

[edit]

Election year  | Overall seats  | Democratic seats  | Non-voting

|
|
|

2018 |

14 / 435

14 / 233

| 1 Delegate
2020 |

17 / 435

17 / 222

| 1 Delegate
2022 |

22 / 435

22 / 213

| 1 Delegate
2024 |

30 / 435

30 / 215

| 1 Delegate

## History

[edit]

The CFC was formed in April 2018 by four members of the U.S. House: Representatives Jared Huffman, Jamie Raskin, Jerry McNerney, and Dan Kildee,[4] soon joined by Pramila Jayapal.[5]

The caucus was established in reaction to the influence of religion, especially that of the Christian right, in public policymaking in ways that the caucus's founders deem inappropriate in a secular government. They see such influence as hampering effective and appropriate responses to issues ranging from climate change to gun violence. Huffman has identified as a humanist without a God belief, but has indicated that the caucus is open to religious members who support the use of science and reason and defend a secular government.[6] The American Humanist Association and the Center for Freethought Equality were involved in "helping establish the caucus" by consultation.[7]

Former House of Representatives historian Ray Smock and historian of science and religion Stephen Weldon have noted what they see as the caucus's unique and historic nature. Smock says it hearkens back to the Enlightenment ideas from the founding of the nation, and Weldon points out the political liability of being non-religious.[5] Raskin called the caucus "historic", while Huffman stated it would "help spark an open dialogue about science and reason-based policy".[8]

By September 2018, the caucus had added four more members and actively opposed Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.[9] Membership has since expanded modestly,[10][11][12][13] with the newest members joining in June 2025.[14]

## List of chairs

[edit]

Term start  | Term end  | Chair(s)

|
|

2018  | present  | Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-8)

## House members

[edit]

All current members caucus with the Democratic Party; the 119th Congress has 31 declared members.[14][15]

Arizona

* Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3)

California

* Julia Brownley (CA-26, Westlake Village)
* Judy Chu (CA-28)
* Laura Friedman (CA-30)
* Robert Garcia (CA-42)
* Jimmy Gomez (CA-34, Los Angeles)
* Jared Huffman (CA-2, San Rafael) – co-chair
* Zoe Lofgren (CA-19, San Jose)
* Kevin Mullin (CA-15, San Mateo)
* Eric Swalwell (CA-14)

Florida

* Maxwell Frost (FL-10, Orlando)

Georgia

* Hank Johnson (GA-4, Decatur)

Illinois

* Sean Casten (IL-6, Chicago)
* Delia Ramirez (IL-3)
* Jan Schakowsky (IL-9)

Maryland

* Jamie Raskin (MD-8, Takoma Park) – co-chair

Michigan

* Rashida Tlaib (MI-13, Detroit)

Minnesota

* Kelly Morrison (MN-3)

New York

* Jerry Nadler (NY-12)

Oregon

* Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
* Andrea Salinas (OR-6)

Pennsylvania

* Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

Tennessee

* Steve Cohen (TN-9, Memphis)

Texas

* Greg Casar (TX-35, Austin)
* Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7)

Vermont

* Becca Balint (VT, at large)

Virginia

* Don Beyer (VA-8, Arlington)

Washington

* Pramila Jayapal (WA-7, Seattle)
* Emily Randall (WA-6)

Washington, D.C.

* Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-Delegate)

Wisconsin

* Mark Pocan (WI-2, Madison)

|

Alumni

* Dan Kildee (MI-5), term ended January 2025
* Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), term ended January 2023[16]
* Jerry McNerney (CA-9), term ended January 2023[16]
* Susan Wild (PA-7), term ended January 2025

## Policy positions

[edit]

Coordinator of the Freethought Equality Fund Political Action Committee, Ron Millar, who participated in planning the caucus, stated specific aims the aforementioned PAC "wants to see", including "action against climate change"; "access to contraception and abortion"; and "maintaining" the Johnson Amendment (which establishes that tax-exempt nonprofits like religious organizations cannot endorse political candidates), among others.[17]

## See also

[edit]

* Establishment Clause
* Free Exercise Clause
* All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (UK counterpart)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Secular Coalition for America, Congressman Jared Huffman Announces Congressional Freethought Caucus, retrieved January 9, 2019
2. ^ "Nontheists Applaud The Announcement of a Congressional Freethought Caucus". Secular Coalition for America. April 25, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
3. ^ Zuckerman, Phil. "Why is it so hard for atheists to get voted in to Congress?". The Conversation. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
4. ^ Manchester, Julia (April 30, 2018). "Dem lawmakers launch 'Freethought' congressional caucus". The Hill. News Communication. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
5. ^ a b Diep, Francie (May 9, 2018). "Is It Just an 'Atheist Club'? Inside the House of Representatives' New Freethought Caucus". Pacific Standard. The Social Justice Foundation. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
6. ^ "Representative Jared Huffman on the Congressional Freethought Caucus". C-Span. National Cable Satellite Corporation. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
7. ^ Blankley, Bethany (May 2, 2018). "New Congressional Freethought Caucus Created to promote Atheistic policies". The Hayride. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
8. ^ Richardson, Bedford. "Atheists establish 'Freethought' congressional caucus". The Washington Times. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
9. ^ "Congressional Freethought Caucus expands rapidly". Freedom from Religion Foundation. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
10. ^ "We have humanists to thank for the growth of the Congressional Freethought Caucus today". Center for Freethought Equality. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
11. ^ Mehta, Hemant (November 29, 2023). "Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, has joined the Congressional Freethought Caucus". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
12. ^ Mehta, Hemant (March 4, 2024). "Reps. Becca Balint and Eric Swalwell have joined the Congressional Freethought Caucus". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
13. ^ "FFRF Action Fund celebrates three new Congressional Freethought Caucus members". Freedom From Religion Foundation. March 4, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
14. ^ a b Mehta, Hemant (June 9, 2025). "The Congressional Freethought Caucus adds two more members". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
15. ^ "Caucus Membership". CFC. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
16. ^ a b "FFRF welcomes Rep. Mullin to the Congressional Freethought Caucus". Freedom From Religion Foundation. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
17. ^ Diep, Francie (May 9, 2018). "Is It Just An 'Atheists' Club'? Inside The House Of Representatives' New Freethought Caucus". Pacific Standard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Freedom From Religion Foundation: Congressional Freethought Caucus
* Secular Coalition for America: Congressional Freethought Caucus

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