Priorities Focus on Life, Religious Liberty, Marriage & Family, Human Dignity
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 12, 2026—The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention has released its 2026 Public Policy Agenda, highlighting its federal legislative and policy priorities that are rooted in Scripture, reflective of the Baptist Faith & Message, and responsive to actions taken by messengers from SBC churches.
“Each year, our team works to produce a robust federal policy agenda highlighting specific policies we plan to engage in the areas of life, religious liberty, marriage and family, and human dignity,” said Dr. Gary Hollingsworth, interim president of the ERLC. “The result of this hard work is a culmination of priorities near to the heart of every Southern Baptist..
“The ERLC is uniquely positioned to bring the moral principles of Southern Baptists to bear on public policy as we carry the truth of Scripture and the hope of the Gospel with us into a chaotic public square and before our national leaders. Over the next year, the ERLC will champion the priorities contained within this agenda, advocating for substantive legislative and legal change that honors God’s design for humanity and our flourishing.”
The following are highlights from the ERLC’s policy priorities for 2026:
LIFE
- Protect and Expand the Hyde Amendment
- Support Federal Abortion Restrictions
- Ending the Proliferation of Chemical Abortions
- Defund Planned Parenthood
- Oppose Physician-Assisted Suicide and all Euthanasia Efforts
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
- Support Conscience Protections
- Respond to the Decision in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections
- Respond to the Decision in First Choice Women’s Resource Center v. Platkin
- Combat Global and Domestic Antisemitism
- Advocate for a Strong Office of International Religious Freedom
- Advocating for Persecuted Christians Around the Globe
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
- Oppose Taxpayer Funding for “Gender Transition” Surgeries and Procedures
- Support Proposals to Ban Harmful “Gender Transition” Surgeries and Procedures
- Respond to Decisions in the two Women’s Sports Supreme Court Cases
- Advocate for Pro-Family Tax Policies
HUMAN DIGNITY
- Support Protections for Children Online
- Support Efforts to Ban Pornography
- Support Efforts to Shape Artificial Intelligence and Technology that Emphasize Human Dignity
- Oppose Marijuana Expansion
Katy Roberts, ERLC’s senior policy manager, commented on the release of the 2026 public policy agenda.
“Policymaking in America is not an ethically simple task, particularly in our modern context. While not exhaustive, it is our hope that the 2026 Public Policy Agenda serves as a helpful roadmap for thoughtful lawmakers as we ‘seek to bring,’ in the words of the Baptist Faith & Message, ‘society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love.’
“We must not only continue to diligently pray for our elected leaders in line with 1 Timothy 2, but also come alongside them in providing practical resources. This is our aim in compiling this agenda: that we would all be equipped to better honor the Lord in word and deed through legislative, legal, and advocacy work.”
For more information and the expanded list of public policy priorities, visit the ERLC’s Policy Center at erlc.com/policy. Download the PDF of our 2026 Public Policy Agenda here.
