Opinion ID: 2996636
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pursuit of the general welfare

Text: The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently held that RLUIPA satisfies the first part of the Dole test in that Congress’ attempt to protect prisoners’ religious rights is in line with the protections afforded by the Constitution through the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause. Mayweathers v. Newland, 314 F.3d 1062, 1066-67 (9th Cir. 2002). RLUIPA follows in the footsteps of a long-standing tradition of federal legislation that seeks to eradicate discrimination and is “designed to guard against unfair bias and infringement on fundamental freedoms.” Id. at 1067 (citing to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protect against numerous forms of discrimination in any program receiving federal financial assistance and in employment, respectively, and citing to Title IX, which sought, in part, to eliminate gender No. 02-3572 7 inequities in education). Given the Supreme Court’s directive to defer substantially to Congress’ judgment, we agree with the Ninth Circuit that RLUIPA’s attempt to protect prisoners’ religious rights and to promote the rehabilitation of prisoners falls squarely within Congress’ pursuit of the general welfare under its Spending Clause authority.