Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies Fast-Tracks Bill to Create Christian Caucus With Leaders’ College Vote

Overview

• The Chamber approved urgency for the proposal by 398–30, with 3 abstentions and 81 absences, and no date has been set for the final vote.
• The bill would formalize a Christian caucus with a general coordinator and deputies, granting its leader a vote in the Colégio de Líderes, negotiation of speaking time, participation in procedural agreements, and direct access to the Mesa Diretora.
• Party tallies reported broad support across PL, PP, PSD, Podemos, PSDB, Solidariedade, PRD, Novo, PV, Cidadania, and Rede; PT split 56–10 in favor; PSOL’s members present voted against, with three abstentions recorded from PCdoB and PDT.
• Critics, including Pastor Henrique Vieira (PSOL-RJ), argue the move undermines Brazil’s secular state and ignores religious diversity, challenging claims that a uniform Christian bloc requires special representation.
• Backed by leaders Gilberto Nascimento (PSD-SP) and Luiz Gastão (PSD-CE) and welcomed by Chamber President Hugo Motta, the group’s organizers say a priority will be supporting a project to overturn a 2024 Conanda resolution related to abortion care for minors.