washington u.s. religious entities would allow engage political activity without risk lose tax-exempt status republican proposal overhaul tax code unveil thursday move could give influential community leaders latitude try influence voters plan would eliminate provision tax code know johnson amendment prohibit church use church resources encourage vote candidate religious leader currently endorse candidate personal capacity within confine church mosque synagogue use staff help candidate supporters say increase religious liberty opponents say allow political leaders pressure church allow church turn political operations change would apply religious group register non-profits include place worship christians muslims jews evangelical christians become increasingly engage political process past 25 years clamor loudly change president donald trump popular evangelical voters vow campaign trail scrap johnson amendment argue keep evangelical church help campaign critics johnson amendment long argue violate first amendment separation church state impose restrictions religious leaders say supporters johnson amendment say opposite instead protect separation church state argue allow political leaders pressure church give endorsements announce change part propose cut corporate tax rate 20 percent 35 percent centerpiece tax proposal unveil house representatives republicans plan would also reduce tax rat individuals families many analysts raise doubt likelihood congress able pass comprehensive tax package include whether enough support several provision include change religious rule allow church engage political activity might provide tactical help republicans 2018 u.s. congressional elections republicans long argue johnson amendment place disadvantage church central organize mechanism voters labor unions favor democrats allow engage political activity operate tax-exempt version story correct third paragraph say supporters support republican tax plan would let church enter political fray