Republican Congressman Admits Mistake on Religious Freedom Vote

Last week, after the House of Representatives voted 223-195 to adopt an amendment that would strip faith-based military contractors of their religious freedom, many were stunned to see 43 Republicans had voted in favor of the measure.

That included one of the members of Congress who voted.

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) requested the next morning that the Congressional Record reflect that his vote was recorded incorrectly. He also released the following statement to his constituents:

“My position on this issue has not and will not change. I’ve consistently defended religious liberty and I always will. During a series of 14 votes on the House floor, I accidentally cast a ‘yea’ vote for the Maloney Amendment when I intended to vote ‘nay.’ I regret the mistake.”