HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROSECUTION - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has announced the creation of a Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTP) in the Criminal Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. This is part of President George W. Bush's ongoing efforts to stop modern day slavery which in the West centers mostly on women and young boys forced into the sex trade. In 2006 Attorney General Gonzales initiated 168 investigations, charged 111 defendants and had a record 98 convictions for trafficking. More efforts like these are needed to stop forced prostitution on women and young boys.

NEW PLEDGE PROTECTION ACT - Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) has reintroduced the Pledge Protection Act for the 110th Congress. The new bill number for the Pledge Protection Act of 2007 is HR- 699. The bill already has both Republican and Democratic co-sponsors. The bill passed the House in the 108th and 109th Congresses by a wide margin with a large number of Democrats joining Republicans in voting for it. Unfortunately, both times the PPA failed to receive a vote in the Senate. This is a critical year for the Pledge of Allegiance, as the lawsuit by atheist Michael Newdow to remove "under God" from it progresses through the courts.

ADOPTION TAX CREDIT - With Democrats in control, the $10,000 Adoption Tax Credit is in danger. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) has introduced the Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007 that would provide a tax credit of up to the full $10,000 for qualified adoption expenses. Without the passage of his bill the current exemption will expire in 2010. More adoptions mean fewer abortions and Congressman Wilson's bill deserves passage.

PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF RELIGION - For many years Congressman John Hostettler worked to pass the Public Expression of Religion Act, however, he was defeated last November and no longer serves in the House. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) has picked up the torch to stop the ACLU from using taxpayer money to silence public expression of religion. His bill would cut the purse strings of the ACLU by not allowing them to seek attorneys' fees from towns, counties and school districts while bringing lawsuits against elected officials and school personnel who dare to express their religious faith in even small ways. This is critical legislation to protect the rights of Christians in government.

STRANGE YOKEFELLOWS - The Institute on Religion & Democracy has produced a new booklet detailing the funding of the National Council of Churches. The organization now receives most of its funding from liberal secular sources such as the Ford Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Sierra Club. Click here for more information.

CHRISTIAN INTERNET STORE - There are literally tens of thousands of Christian theme items available at our affiliate store including jewelry from the Holy Land. It is a great place to shop for birthday gifts. The store is located at www.rfcstore.com. Please help us with our various projects on Capitol Hill and in the Holy Land by shopping at our affiliate Christian Superstore . Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.or g.