Congress Takes Over National Prayer Breakfast 

The National Prayer Breakfast, one of the most visible and long-standing events that brings religion and politics together in Washington, is splitting from the private religious group that had overseen it for decades, due to concerns the gathering had become too divisive.

The organizer and host for this year's breakfast, scheduled for Thursday, will be the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation, headed by former Sen. Mark Pryor, a Democrat from Arkansas.

Sen. Chris Coons, a regular participant and chairman of the Senate ethics committee, said the move was prompted in part by concerns in recent years that members of Congress did not know important details about the larger multiday gathering.

FILE -Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) asks a question as Judge Merrick Garland testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Feb. 22, 2021.

Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said that in the past, he and Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, the committee's vice chairman, had questions about who was invited and how money was being raised.

The annual event "went on several days, had thousands of people attending, and a very large and somewhat complex organization,” Coons said in an interview. “Some questions had been raised about our ability as members of Congress to say that we knew exactly how it was being organized, who was being invited, how it was being funded. Many of us who’d been in leadership roles really couldn’t answer those questions.”

That led to lawmakers deciding to take over organizing the prayer breakfast itself.

Pryor, president of the new foundation, said the COVID-19 shutdown gave members a chance to “reset” the breakfast and return it to its origins — a change he said had been discussed for years.

“The whole reason the House and Senate wanted to do this was to return it to its roots, when House members and Senate members can come together and pray for the president, pray for his family and administration, pray for our government, the world," Pryor said.

Pryor said members of Congress, the president, vice president and other administration officials and their guests are invited to Thursday's prayer breakfast, which will be held at the visitors' center at the Capitol. He anticipated between 200 and 300 people would attend.

Pryor said he hoped the smaller event will regain the intimacy that is similar to the weekly nondenominational prayer gatherings on Capitol Hill. Groups of senators and representatives have long held unofficial meetings for fellowship and to temporarily set aside political differences.

The prayer breakfast addressed by the president has been the highlight of a multiday event for 70 years. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to attend, in February 1953, and every president since has spoken at the gathering.

The larger event, put on by a private religious group called the International Foundation, has always been centered on “the person and principles of Jesus, with a focus on praying for leaders of our nation and from around the world,” the group's spokesman, A. Larry Ross, said in an email.

More than 1,400 people are registered for the two-day event, with one-third of those from outside the United States.

President Joe Biden, who has spoken at the breakfast the past two years, is set to do so again. In 2021, he made remarks from the White House during a virtual breakfast the month after the building was attacked by supporters of former President Donald Trump intent on trying to stop the certification of the 2020 election.

At last year’s address from the Capitol, Biden talked about the need for members of Congress to know one another more personally.

“It’s hard to really dislike someone when you know what they’re going through is the same thing you’re going through,” he said.

In recent years, questions about the International Foundation, its funding and attendees led some to reconsider the involvement of Congress.

FILE - Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks during a hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 3, 2021.

Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, stopped coming in 2016 because the event “had become an entertainment and lobbying extravaganza rather than an opportunity for spiritual reflection,” a Kaine spokesperson wrote in an emailed response to questions. Kaine will attend Thursday.

The gathering came under heightened criticism in 2018 when Maria Butina, a Russian operative, pleaded guilty in 2018 to conspiring to infiltrate conservative U.S. political groups with the aim of advancing Russian interests. According to court documents, she attended two breakfasts in hopes of setting up unofficial connections between Russian and U.S. officials.

It took on political undertones with Trump shattering the custom of the address being a respite from partisan bickering. He used his 2020 speech to criticize his first impeachment and attack political opponents, including Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California.

Earlier this month, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter signed by 30 groups to the White House and members of Congress asking them to boycott the event because of questions about the International Foundation.

The organization’s co-president, Annie Laurie Gaylor, said the foundation's basic concerns with the breakfast remain despite the split with the larger religious gathering.

“For decades, FFRF has protested the appearance of the National Prayer Breakfast being a quasi-governmental gathering, which pressures the president and Congress to put on a display of piety that sends a message that the United States is a Christian nation," she wrote.


Football news:

<!DOCTYPE html>
Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

3:19 Diamondbacks World Series bettor four wins away from $1 million payout
3:09 Giants legend Carl Banks slams WFAN hosts for Kayvon Thibodeaux rip job
3:01 Struggling Oilers will be missing injured star Connor McDavid vs. Rangers
2:52 Elias Manoel notches hat trick as Red Bulls advance in playoffs
2:48 Disgraceful Karine Jean-Pierre’s words are just callous amid Hamas violence
2:46 SEAN HANNITY: The People's House is now officially back in business
2:42 At least 16 killed in shootings in Maine, law enforcement officials say
2:40 Georgia murder fugitive kills self when police on hunt for other escaped inmates show up at door
2:31 US Auto Workers Union Reaches Preliminary Deal With Ford
2:29 Jayson Tatum shades new Celtics teammate Jrue Holiday: ‘You old’
2:24 Magazine scrubs sections of Jake Sullivan’s essay praising Biden’s performance in the Middle East
2:21 Nets’ opening-night comeback falls short in last-second heartbreaker vs. Cavaliers
2:18 JESSE WATTERS: We have a compromised president in the White House
2:10 Kristaps Porzingis’ late heroics sink Knicks in crushing opening-night loss
2:09 FBI hindered Hunter probe — and David Weiss skipped briefing on Biden bribery allegations, US attorney testifies
1:54 At least 16 killed in shooting in Maine, law enforcement officials says
1:54 At least 16 killed in shooting in Maine, law enforcement officials say
1:51 Sterling Shepard in punt return mix vs. Jets despite Commanders muff
1:47 Craig Counsell’s true Mets intentions are about to become clear
1:45 Tim Wakefield's wife, Stacy, shares powerful message late husband left for her
1:41 Kyle Richards ‘taken aback’ by Mauricio Umansky, ‘DWTS’ partner Emma Slater holding hands: Something is ‘going on there’
1:37 Ford and UAW reach tentative agreement that would end 6-week strike
1:36 LAURA INGRAHAM: This is a propaganda victory for Hamas
1:35 Actor Zachery Ty Bryan pleads guilty to felony assault stemming from domestic violence arrest
1:26 NYC college's Jewish students seen locked inside library as anti-Israel protest moves through building
1:24 Blackpink’s Jisoo and actor Ahn Bo-hyun split after brief romance: report
1:20 Police respond to active shooter in Lewiston, Maine; medical center treating 'mass casualty event'
1:20 At least 22 dead, up to 60 wounded in mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine
1:20 Stream It Or Skip It: ‘30 Coins’ Season 2 on Max, The Return Of This Ambitious Religious Horror Series From Spain (Now With More Paul Giamatti!)
1:19 Panthers' Frank Reich voices support for QB Bryce Young amid winless start: 'We got the guy we wanted'
1:17 NYC driver, 40, charged with attempted murder for shooting at off-duty detective
1:15 Alligator gar caught in Texas weighing 283 pounds shatters multiple records: 'Four in one fell swoop'
1:06 Sen. Tim Scott calls for the deportation of foreign students supporting Hamas 
1:06 More than 10 dead, dozens injured in Lewiston, Maine mass shooting, sources say
1:04 Jets’ defensive line looking to up sack numbers in battle vs. Giants
1:03 John Stamos reveals what Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen said at Bob Saget’s funeral: ‘It was so beautiful’
1:01 See ‘The Crown’ recreate Princess Diana’s historic landmine walk
1:00 Joe Rogan expresses nostalgia for Trump era, says country was 'without a doubt' better than under Biden
1:00 Erika Jayne Reveals ‘RHOBH’s Biggest Pot-Stirrer Now That Lisa Rinna Is Gone: “I Think We All Have Moments”
0:56 US, Australia Reaffirm Shared Values, Cooperation Against Chinese Ambitions 
0:56 Hunter Biden missing from state dinner guest list after backlash for attending others amid legal issues
0:55 Rams coach Sean McVay invokes 'higher power' when talking newborn son: 'There's something special going on'
0:47 Alexis Lafreniere finally could be primed for Rangers’ breakout
0:46 Giant pandas to leave the National Zoo in D.C. for China earlier than expected
0:43 Fans slam Mauricio Umansky for telling Kyle Richards he won’t ‘allow’ any more tattoos
0:42 ‘Southern Charm’ alum Kathryn Dennis’ SUV involved in alleged hit-and-run at elementary school
0:35 No sex please, we’re Gen Z — young viewers want deeper, more unique relationships in film, on TV: study
0:34 Cooper Union barricades Jewish students inside library as pro-Palestine protesters bang on doors
0:34 Active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine: Police
0:34 UAW reaches tentative labor agreement with Ford
0:33 Giants’ Andrew Thomas practices lightly but unlikely to face Jets
0:31 Active shooter situation in Maine, city residents told to 'stay inside with doors locked'
0:28 Falcons head coach dismisses concerns after Bijan Robinson's surprisingly low usage: 'There's nothing'
0:24 AI predicts a third of breast cancer cases prior to diagnosis in breakthrough mammography study
0:24 UAW reaches tentative deal with Ford: Sources
0:19 Sean McVay’s wife Veronika Khomyn gives birth to baby boy
0:18 Ex-‘incel’ threatened to shoot up ‘chads and stacies’ at University of Arizona: feds
0:17 Florida duo allegedly stabbed man repeatedly, threw him over bridge, stole car and set it on fire: authorities
0:12 Who is Rep. Mike Johnson, the new House speaker?
0:11 Yankees have had 'preliminary' conversations to trade for Juan Soto: report
0:09 California man breaks into Jewish family's home, threatens to kill them, yells 'Free Palestine'
0:08 ‘Breakfast Club’ host DJ Envy has no apologies for promoting a con man newly arrested for fraud
0:08 Biden team sees 2024 opportunity with GOP's new speaker, and more campaign takeaways
0:07 UAW closing in on tentative labor agreement with Ford
0:05 Biden must stop using defense partnerships as an excuse to cut Pentagon spending
0:02 Shakira fans blame karma after singer’s ex Gerard Piqué falls into stage hole: ‘Don’t disrespect the stage queen’
0:00 Obama’s warning to Israel: Letters to the Editor — Oct. 26, 2023
0:00 Clarence Thomas loan for luxury RV was forgiven, Senate Democrats say
0:00 ACLU sues Tennessee for 'criminalizing HIV' with strict prostitution laws
23:59 Who is Rep. Mike Johnson, the House GOP's latest speaker nominee?
23:56 White House state dinner celebrates Australia ties, nods to Israel-Hamas war
23:56 Drone video shows Mexican drug cartels throwing explosives along Texas southern border
23:54 Bear attacks security guard in Aspen hotel, remains on the loose, Colorado wildlife officials say
23:51 Beyoncé shares rare video talking to fans as she unboxes her new perfume: ‘It’s finally here’
23:48 'The Young and Restless' star Christian LeBlanc reveals cancer diagnosis after 'fans caught' sign of disease
23:44 Diana Nyad goes the distance in new film on Cuba-Florida swim feat
23:41 Jewish American students outraged by rising antisemitism in US amid Hamas terror attacks on Israel
23:39 Mike Johnson Won The Worst Job In Washington: Speaker of a Broken House
23:38 Lindsay Clancy, Massachusetts mother who strangled her 3 children, researched 'ways to kill,' court docs say
23:38 Jets’ matchup with Giants a reminder of how quickly things change
23:32 Nikki Haley rips Biden over antisemitism on college campuses — and vows to fix it
23:30 Mel Tucker sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, Michigan State investigation reveals
23:29 Brian Austin Green slams ‘DWTS’ for excluding fiancée Sharna Burgess from Len Goodman tribute
23:24 LeBron James' minutes restriction likley the new norm as superstar enters new chapter
23:21 FDA looking into claim woman died after drinking Panera Bread lemonade
23:20 North Dakota Legislature rewrites budget bill, ending special session in 3 days
23:19 'Squad' Democrats vote against condemning 'barbaric' Hamas attack on Israel
23:18 Wisconsin officials pass new wolf management plan, but population goal absent
23:17 UN chief’s justification for Hamas attacks shows the organization is worse than useless
23:16 Former Congressman Mark Walker drops out of North Carolina gubernatorial race to launch Congressional bid
23:15 Over 70 left ill following multi-state salmonella outbreak tied to onions
23:14 Husband of Cardi B’s manicurist charged with setting wife’s new NYC salon on fire
23:10 Elon Musk rolls out audio, video on X as he seeks to make it an ‘everything app’
23:09 UnScientific American, Trump is yesterday’s man and other commentary
23:09 Customer freed after spending night trapped inside NYC bank vault
23:07 ‘F–k Israel’ graffiti scrawled across Cornell University campus sidewalks
23:03 Dennis Quaid to host Fox Nation series 'Top Combat Pilot' debuting in November
23:00 Don La Greca goes off on ‘weakling’ Chris Russo’s retirement ‘gimmick
23:00 New report shows a majority of students attend schools with high or extreme levels of chronic absence
23:00 Biden administration pushes for a humanitarian 'pause' in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza