Congress Passes the Biblical Compliance Act: A Bold Move Toward Faith-Based Governance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move that has ignited a national debate, Congress narrowly passed the Biblical Compliance Act (BCA) late last night, setting the stage for the most sweeping moral legislation in modern U.S. history. The bill, which its authors claim is intended to "restore America’s foundation of faith and moral clarity," mandates that U.S. citizens adhere to select biblical prohibitions and customs, drawing directly from Old Testament law.

The bill was pushed through the House by a 216-214 vote, and after tense negotiations in the Senate, it was approved 51-49, largely along party lines. President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law within days.

A "Moral Reset" for American Society

According to its supporters, the BCA is not merely about religious adherence but about "returning to traditional values."

“We have lost our way,” said Senator Harold Belford (R-AL), a lead sponsor of the bill. “For too long, moral decay has taken root in this country under the guise of personal freedom. The Founding Fathers understood the importance of biblical principles in shaping our laws, and we’re simply reaffirming what should have never been abandoned.”

The Department of Cultural Integrity (DCI)—a newly created federal agency—will oversee enforcement, ensuring compliance with select moral statutes derived from biblical scripture. Violations of the BCA will be subject to civil penalties, with escalating consequences for repeat offenses.

Key Provisions of the BCA

The Biblical Compliance Act introduces sweeping restrictions that will directly impact business operations, financial institutions, personal conduct, and even clothing choices. Among its key provisions:

• Dietary Restrictions: Foods prohibited under Levitical law—including shellfish, pork, and any meat not slaughtered according to scriptural guidelines—will be banned from public sale. Grocery stores, restaurants, and food suppliers will have 12 months to transition to compliance. (Leviticus 11:7-12)
• Financial Reforms: Charging interest on loans—a practice prohibited in Exodus 22:25—will be heavily restricted, with national banks given five years to phase out all interest-based lending. Critics argue this could destabilize the financial system, but supporters say it will eliminate “predatory lending.”
• Sabbath Observance: All businesses, with the exception of emergency services, will be required to cease operations one day a week. While the bill does not specify whether this will apply to Saturday (Judaism) or Sunday (Christianity), that decision will be left to state legislatures. (Exodus 20:8-10)
• Public Morality: The Department of Cultural Integrity will issue guidelines on dress codes to discourage mixed-fabric clothing and excessively "immodest attire" in government workplaces. (Leviticus 19:19, 1 Timothy 2:9)
• Adultery & Moral Conduct: The law reinforces state-level bans on adultery and other sexual behavior considered “contrary to biblical teaching.” Some conservative legal scholars argue that states could now reintroduce harsher penalties for such behavior. (Leviticus 20:10)
• Astrology & Divination: Practices such as fortune-telling, astrology, and tarot reading will be classified as fraudulent under federal consumer protection laws. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)

Legal Challenges and Constitutional Concerns

The bill’s passage has already triggered legal action from civil liberties groups and constitutional scholars, who argue that it blatantly violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause by enforcing religious doctrine through law.

“This is not about ‘restoring order,’ this is about imposing a theocratic legal structure onto a secular democracy,” said Dana Price, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). “Congress does not have the authority to codify biblical law into federal statute.”

Others fear the BCA sets a dangerous precedent for further religious-based laws. “Where does this stop?” asked Professor Mark Ellison, a constitutional law expert at Georgetown University. “Are we going to start mandating Old Testament justice? Will we reinstate blasphemy laws? If we allow this, there is no clear limit to where it could lead.”

Public Reaction: A Nation Divided

Reaction to the bill’s passage has been swift and divided. A recent Gallup poll found that 39% of Americans support some form of faith-based legislation, particularly in socially conservative regions, but 56% oppose religious restrictions being codified into law.

Religious leaders themselves are divided. Some evangelical Christian groups have celebrated the bill, arguing that it “reaffirms America’s Christian heritage.” Others, including mainline Protestant denominations and Jewish organizations, have condemned it, arguing that it imposes a rigid and selective interpretation of scripture.

Even among conservative circles, there is some skepticism about how strictly the law will be enforced and whether political leaders will hold themselves to the same standard. "I don't see Congress giving up their Sunday brunch bacon anytime soon," one anonymous staffer joked.

What Happens Next?

Legal battles over the Biblical Compliance Act are expected to escalate quickly, with lawsuits already filed in California, New York, and Massachusetts challenging the law’s constitutionality. Meanwhile, state governors are scrambling to determine how to enforce the act without violating their own state constitutions.

With President Trump expected to sign the bill into law within days, the Supreme Court may soon find itself at the center of a defining legal battle over the role of religion in government.

For now, Americans will have to adjust to a nation where the Bible is not just a moral guide—but federal law.