Family Research Council

The Family Research Council (FRC) is an American evangelical 501(c)(3) non-profit activist group and think-tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. [1, 4, 6, 8, 9]. Its mission is to "serve in the kingdom of God by championing faith, family, and freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview" [2, 19]. FRC focuses on policy research and analysis to advance a family-centered philosophy of public life [6].

FRC's core activities include advocating for traditional family values, the sanctity of human life, religious liberty, and freedom of conscience [1, 2]. The organization actively opposes and lobbies against abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, divorce, and LGBT rights, such as anti-discrimination laws and same-sex marriage [4, 13]. It produces policy analyses, educational resources, and media content, including "The Washington Stand" and "Washington Watch with Tony Perkins," to influence legislation and cultural discourse [6, 9]. FRC also engages in grassroots mobilization through its legislative affiliate, FRC Action [6].

Tony Perkins serves as the president of the Family Research Council [1, 2, 3, 4, 8]. In recent news, FRC has been involved in responding to indictments against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and assisting an FBI investigation into the organization, which FRC has long accused of bias [5, 7, 10]. FRC also recently praised a Supreme Court decision concerning First Choice Women's Resource Centers and responded to a Department of Justice report on anti-Christian bias [10, 11, 21]. The organization is a member of the advisory board for Project 2025, a conservative policy initiative [4, 22]. FRC is recognized as a right-of-center advocacy group and has been classified as a hate group by the SPLC, a designation FRC disputes [1, 4, 5].

Latest updates

DOJ Report Fuels FRC Claims of Anti-Christian Bias, Spurs Calls for Legal Safeguards

Event summary

  • The U.S. Department of Justice released a report detailing findings of anti-Christian bias within the Biden administration.
  • Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins responded, alleging the administration has 'weaponized' government resources against Christians.
  • FRC claims to have tracked 'hundreds of incidents' of church vandalism and attacks, alleging insufficient response from the administration.
  • Perkins called for preventative safeguards at federal, state, and local levels to protect religious freedom under future administrations.
  • FRC suggests a cultural shift driven by Christians sharing their faith is a key preventative measure.

The big picture

The DOJ report and FRC's reaction highlight a growing tension between progressive social agendas and conservative religious viewpoints within the U.S. This dynamic presents significant political and legal risk for organizations operating in the intersection of faith, policy, and social activism. The FRC's advocacy for legislative safeguards underscores a broader concern among conservative groups about the potential for future administrations to restrict religious expression.

What we're watching

Legal Challenges
The DOJ report's findings are likely to spur legal challenges from religious organizations, potentially impacting future government policies and enforcement actions related to religious freedom.
Political Backlash
The report and FRC's response will likely intensify the political debate around religious freedom and government overreach, potentially influencing upcoming elections and legislative agendas.
Cultural Shift
The extent to which FRC’s call for Christians to actively share their faith translates into measurable shifts in public opinion and cultural norms remains to be seen, but will be a key indicator of the organization's influence.

Supreme Court Curbs Race-Based Redistricting, Potentially Reshaping Voting Rights

Event summary

  • The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in *Louisiana v. Callais* on April 29, 2026.
  • The ruling limits the use of race as a predominant factor in drawing congressional districts.
  • The Court's decision challenges interpretations of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
  • Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins, a former Louisiana legislator, lauded the decision.
  • FRC Action Director Matt Carpenter stated the ruling is a 'significant win for fair districts'.

The big picture

The Supreme Court’s decision in *Louisiana v. Callais* represents a significant shift in the interpretation of the Voting Rights Act and constitutional principles regarding equal protection. This ruling effectively restricts the ability of states to create majority-minority districts based primarily on race, potentially impacting the balance of power in legislatures and the composition of Congress. The decision is likely to fuel ongoing debates about affirmative action and the role of race in American law.

What we're watching

Legal Challenges
State legislatures will likely face renewed legal challenges regarding redistricting processes, as the parameters for acceptable district drawing are now more clearly defined by the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Political Realignment
The impact on minority representation in Congress and state legislatures remains to be seen, potentially leading to shifts in political power and necessitating adjustments in campaign strategies.
Voting Rights Act
Congress may attempt to legislate further clarifications or modifications to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in response to the Supreme Court's decision, though the likelihood of success is uncertain given current political divisions.

Supreme Court Shields Religious Group from State Subpoena in First Choice Ruling

Event summary

  • The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in *First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin*.
  • The ruling found that former New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin illegally targeted First Choice Women’s Resource Centers with a broad subpoena.
  • The subpoena demanded extensive documentation, including donor information, from the Christian, pro-life pregnancy care center.
  • The Court’s decision effectively prevents the state of New Jersey from pursuing similar actions against religiously affiliated organizations.

The big picture

The Supreme Court's decision underscores the ongoing tension between state regulatory power and constitutional protections for religious organizations. This case highlights a broader trend of legal battles concerning the scope of government oversight over faith-based entities, particularly those involved in politically sensitive areas like reproductive health. The ruling’s impact extends beyond New Jersey, potentially shaping how states interact with religious non-profits nationwide.

What we're watching

Regulatory Headwinds
The ruling establishes a precedent that may limit the ability of state attorneys general to aggressively investigate religiously affiliated organizations, potentially impacting oversight of non-profits more broadly.
Governance Dynamics
Other states may re-evaluate their investigative practices concerning religious organizations to avoid similar legal challenges and ensure compliance with First Amendment protections.
Execution Risk
First Choice Women’s Resource Centers and similar organizations will likely face increased scrutiny and potential legal challenges as they navigate the boundaries of religious freedom and public accountability.
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