JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – This week, attorney Josh Hawley has been busy representing Hobby Lobby in its case in the U.S. Supreme Court. However, he did find the time to announce his new association, The Missouri Liberty Project.
The Hobby Lobby case involves the retail company refusing to provide birth control drugs, such as the morning after pill, mandated by the Affordable Care Act. Hobby Lobby cites religious beliefs as the reason. Protecting religious freedom is one of the Missouri Liberty Project’s primary goals.
“I’ve talked to people around the state,” Hawley said. “What I hear over and over is they think the Constitution is under threat and they can’t do anything about it.”
Much like other conservative groups operating in the Missouri Capitol, the Missouri Liberty Project will also fight federal overreach – especially in agriculture. What will make the new association unique is it will provide a forum for the public to express their views. Hawley wants the group’s website, libertyprojectmo.com, to have surveys, opportunities to write opinion columns, and the opportunity to provide opinions for ongoing court cases to be submitted as a part of the court briefs.
“We hope to give them the tools to have a voice,” Hawley said.
The Missouri Liberty Project will also have information about ongoing legislation and issues on its site. As an example, Hawley is following other cases related to the Affordable Care Act closely. One of those cases is Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt challenging the state exchange system included in the law.
The Missouri Liberty Project will not be a lobbyist group. Currently, Hawley is the founder and president and the rest of the staff is made up of volunteers. Hawley said the association may engage in media projects, like left-leaning group Progress Missouri, specifically mentioning podcasts.
“We’re focusing on constitutional liberty,” Hawley said. “We’re focusing on everyday life in Missouri.”
Hawley is also an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.
