National Relig Brcast v. Bessent
| National Religious Broadcasters, Sand Springs Church, First Baptist Church Waskom and Intercessors for America |
| Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and Internal Revenue Service |
| Kansas Family Foundation, American Center for Law and Justice, Jeff Crank, Congressman, Mark Harris, Congressman, Home School Legal Defense Association, True North Legal, Kansas Family, Texas Values, Wagner Faith & Freedom Center at Spring Arbor University, America's Future, Public Advocate of the United States, Public Advocate Foundation, Citizens United, Citizens United Foundation, Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Texas, Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Houston, Texas, Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Campaign Legal Center, Public Citizen and Americans United for Separation of Church and State |
| 26-40237 |
| April 28, 2026 |
| U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit |
| Other Civil Rights |
Docket Report
RSS Track this Docket
This docket was last retrieved on October 22, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
| Document Text |
|---|
| Filing 86 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) David A Kallman, Stephen Kallman for party(s) Appellant National Religious Broadcasters, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (ABT) [Entered: 10/22/2026 12:02 PM] |
| Filing 85 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Stephen Kallman ) [Entered: 10/22/2026 07:59 AM] |
| Filing 84 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (David A Kallman ) [Entered: 10/22/2026 07:57 AM] |
| Filing 83 CLERK ORDER granting Motion to extend time to file reply brief filed by Appellants National Religious Broadcasters, Sand Springs Church, First Baptist Church Waskom and Intercessors for America [ # 62 ] Reply Brief deadline updated to 10/27/2026 for Appellants First Baptist Church Waskom, Intercessors for America, National Religious Broadcasters and Sand Springs Church [26-40237] (ABT) [Entered: 10/02/2026 11:46 AM] |
| Filing 79 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Valencia Richardson for party Amicus Curiae Campaign Legal Center Amicus Curiae Public Citizen, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (JAK) [Entered: 09/30/2026 01:08 PM] |
| Filing 77 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Elias Daiute for party Amicus Curiae Americans United for Separation of Church and State, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (JAK) [Entered: 09/30/2026 01:06 PM] |
| Filing 75 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Emily Halpin McCarthy for party Amicus Curiae Americans United for Separation of Church and State, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (JAK) [Entered: 09/30/2026 11:55 AM] |
| Filing 73 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Alex J. Luchenitser for party Amicus Curiae Americans United for Separation of Church and State, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (JAK) [Entered: 09/30/2026 11:53 AM] |
| Filing 71 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Patrick Elliott for party Amicus Curiae Freedom From Religion Foundation, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (JAK) [Entered: 09/30/2026 11:51 AM] |
| Filing 70 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The Consent is Included in the Brief. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Date of service: 09/28/2026 via email - Attorney for Amici Curiae: Ehrett, Mackin, Moelker, Olson; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner; Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Ugolini, Wicks [26-40237] (Emily Halpin McCarthy ) [Entered: 09/28/2026 07:03 PM] |
| Filing 69 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Public Citizen and Campaign Legal Center. The Consent is Included in the Brief. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Campaign Legal Center and Public Citizen. Date of service: 09/28/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Ugolini, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner; Attorney for Amici Curiae: Ehrett, Mackin, Moelker, Olson [26-40237] (Valencia Richardson ) [Entered: 09/28/2026 04:32 PM] |
| Filing 68 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? Yes. [26-40237] (Valencia Richardson ) [Entered: 09/28/2026 04:17 PM] |
| Filing 67 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Elias Daiute ) [Entered: 09/28/2026 11:42 AM] |
| Filing 66 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? Yes. [26-40237] (Emily Halpin McCarthy ) [Entered: 09/28/2026 11:42 AM] |
| Filing 65 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Alex J. Luchenitser ) [Entered: 09/28/2026 11:20 AM] |
| Filing 64 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Freedom From Religion Foundation. The Consent is Included in the Brief. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Freedom From Religion Foundation. Date of service: 09/25/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Ugolini, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner; Attorney for Amici Curiae: Ehrett, Mackin, Moelker, Olson [26-40237] (Patrick Elliott ) [Entered: 09/25/2026 02:29 PM] |
| Filing 63 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Patrick Elliott ) [Entered: 09/25/2026 02:26 PM] |
| Filing 62 MOTION filed by Appellants First Baptist Church Waskom, Intercessors for America, National Religious Broadcasters and Sand Springs Church to extend time to file reply brief until 10/27/2026 [62]. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: UNOPPOSED LEVEL 1 EXTENSION REQUESTED by Appellant National Religious Broadcasters for filing Motion for Reply Brief Extension of Time until 10/26/2026 [26-40237] (Michael Paul Farris ) [Entered: 09/24/2026 12:31 PM] |
| Filing 60 APPELLEE'S BRIEF FILED E/Res's Brief deadline satisfied. Reply Brief due on 10/13/2026 for Appellants First Baptist Church Waskom, Intercessors for America, National Religious Broadcasters and Sand Springs Church [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: APPELLEE'S BRIEF FILED by Mr. Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and IRS. Date of service: 09/21/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Ugolini, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner; Attorney for Amici Curiae: Ehrett, Mackin, Moelker, Olson [26-40237] (Marie Wicks ) [Entered: 09/21/2026 10:59 PM] |
| Filing 58 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Francesca Ugolini for party(s) Appellee Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service Appellee IRS, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (JAK) [Entered: 09/21/2026 04:13 PM] |
| Filing 57 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Francesca Ugolini ) [Entered: 09/21/2026 02:59 PM] |
| Filing 56 CASE CAPTION updated. Amicus Curiae Kansas Family in 26-40237 substituted by Amicus Curiae Kansas Family Foundation in 26-40237. [26-40237] (RLL) [Entered: 08/27/2026 02:26 PM] |
| Filing 55 LETTER filed by Amici Curiae Home School Legal Defense Association, Texas Values, True North Legal, Kansas Family Foundation and Wagner Faith & Freedom Center at Spring Arbor University in 26-40237 [55]. advising correct name of amicus curiae party Kansas Family is Kansas Family Foundation. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: LETTER filed by Amici Curiae Home School Legal Defense Association, Kansas Family, Texas Values, True North Legal and Wagner Faith & Freedom Center at Spring Arbor University Date of Service: 08/25/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner; Attorney for Amici Curiae: Ehrett, Mackin, Moelker, Olson [26-40237] (John Ehrett ) [Entered: 08/25/2026 02:35 PM] |
| Filing 53 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney John Ehrett for party(s) Amicus Curiae True North Legal; Amicus Curiae Texas Values; Amicus Curiae Wagner Faith & Freedom Center at Spring Arbor University; Amicus Curiae Home School Legal Defense Association; Amicus Curiae Kansas Family, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (JAK) [Entered: 08/21/2026 11:58 AM] |
| Filing 52 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (John Ehrett ) [Entered: 08/21/2026 09:34 AM] |
| Filing 51 DOCUMENT RECEIVED - NO ACTION TAKEN. No action will be taken at this time on the appearance form filed by attorney Patrick C. Elliott on behalf of the Freedom from Religion Foundation because it is premature. The listed party is not currently a party to this appeal. The appearance form can be refiled once an amicus brief has been filed. [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 08/12/2026 11:46 AM] |
| Filing 49 CLERK ORDER granting Motion to extend time to file appellee's brief filed by Appellees IRS and Mr. Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service [ # 45 ] Appellee's Brief due on 09/21/2026 for Appellees Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and Internal Revenue Service [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 08/04/2026 09:02 AM] |
| Filing 45 UNOPPOSED MOTION to extend time to file brief of appellee until 09/21/2026 [45]. Date of service: 07/30/2026 [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: UNOPPOSED MOTION filed by Appellees Mr. Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and IRS to extend time to file brief of appellee until 09/21/2026 [45]. Date of service: 07/30/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner; Attorney for Amici Curiae: Mackin, Moelker, Olson [26-40237] (Marie Wicks ) [Entered: 07/30/2026 02:26 PM] |
| Filing 44 Paper copies of Amicus Brief filed by American Center for Law and Justice, Mr. Mark Harris and Mr. Jeff Crank in 26-40237 received. Paper copies match electronic version of document? Yes # of Copies Provided: 6. [26-40237] (SME) [Entered: 07/24/2026 08:46 AM] |
| Filing 42 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Anne Marie Mackin for Amicus Curiae Wagner Faith & Freedom Center at Spring Arbor University in 26-40237, Attorney Anne Marie Mackin for Amicus Curiae Texas Values in 26-40237, Attorney Anne Marie Mackin for Amicus Curiae Kansas Family in 26-40237, Attorney Anne Marie Mackin for Amicus Curiae True North Legal in 26-40237, Attorney Anne Marie Mackin for Amicus Curiae Home School Legal Defense Association in 26-40237 [26-40237] (ABT) [Entered: 07/17/2026 01:26 PM] |
| Filing 41 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Anne Marie Mackin ) [Entered: 07/17/2026 11:37 AM] |
| Filing 40 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Nathan Jeremiah Moelker for Amicus Curiae Mark Harris in 26-40237, Attorney Nathan Jeremiah Moelker for Amicus Curiae Jeff Crank in 26-40237, Attorney Nathan Jeremiah Moelker for Amicus Curiae American Center for Law and Justice in 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/16/2026 04:49 PM] |
| Filing 39 Attorney Anne Marie Mackin is advised to resubmit an appearance form. Reason: No signature on appearance form. Additionally, the specific parties counsel intends to represent must be listed at the top of the form. [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/16/2026 04:44 PM] |
| Filing 38 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney William Jeffrey Olson for Amicus Curiae Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund; Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Houston, Texas; Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Texas; Citizens United Foundation; Citizens United; Public Advocate Foundation; Public Advocate of the United States; and America's Future in 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/16/2026 04:42 PM] |
| Filing 37 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund, Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Houston, Texas, Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Texas, Citizens United Foundation, Citizens United, Public Advocate Foundation, Public Advocate of the United States and America's Future. The Consent is Included in the Brief. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by America's Future, Public Advocate of the US, Public Advocate Foundation, Citizens United, Citizens United Foundation, Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Texas, Orthodox Church Mission Fund of Houston, Texas, and Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund. Date of service: 07/14/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner [26-40237] (William Jeffrey Olson ) [Entered: 07/14/2026 07:20 PM] |
| Filing 36 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? Yes. [26-40237] (William Jeffrey Olson ) [Entered: 07/14/2026 07:16 PM] |
| Filing 35 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Anne Marie Mackin ) [Entered: 07/14/2026 04:34 PM] |
| Filing 34 CORRECTED AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Wagner Faith & Freedom Center at Spring Arbor University, Texas Values, Kansas Family Foundation, True North Legal and Home School Legal Defense Association. The Consent is Included in the Brief. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by Home School Legal Defense Association, True North Legal, Kansas Family Foundation, Texas Values, and Wagner Faith & Freedom Center in support of Plaintiffs-Appellants. Date of service: 07/14/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner [26-40237] (Anne Marie Mackin ) [Entered: 07/14/2026 04:21 PM] |
| Filing 33 AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by American Center for Law and Justice, Mr. Mark Harris and Mr. Jeff Crank. The Consent is Included in the Brief. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF FILED by AMICI AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW & JUSTICE, CONGRESSMAN JEFF CRANK, AND CONGRESSMAN MARK HARRIS. Date of service: 07/14/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Bursch, Campbell, Cortman, Farris, Peters, Siu, Warner [26-40237] (Nathan Jeremiah Moelker ) [Entered: 07/14/2026 08:54 AM] |
| Filing 32 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? Yes. [26-40237] (Nathan Jeremiah Moelker ) [Entered: 07/14/2026 08:51 AM] |
| Filing 30 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) Rita Peters for party(s) Appellant National Religious Broadcasters Appellant Sand Springs Church Appellant Intercessors for America Appellant First Baptist Church Waskom, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/07/2026 04:53 PM] |
| Filing 29 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) John J. Bursch for party(s) Appellant National Religious Broadcasters Appellant Sand Springs Church Appellant Intercessors for America Appellant First Baptist Church Waskom, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/07/2026 04:52 PM] |
| Filing 28 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) David Andrew Cortman for party(s) Appellant National Religious Broadcasters Appellant Sand Springs Church Appellant Intercessors for America Appellant First Baptist Church Waskom, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/07/2026 04:50 PM] |
| Filing 27 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) James A. Campbell for party(s) Appellant National Religious Broadcasters Appellant Sand Springs Church Appellant Intercessors for America Appellant First Baptist Church Waskom, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/07/2026 04:49 PM] |
| Filing 26 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) Jacob P. Warner for party(s) Appellant National Religious Broadcasters Appellant Sand Springs Church Appellant Intercessors for America Appellant First Baptist Church Waskom, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 07/07/2026 04:47 PM] |
| Filing 25 RECORD EXCERPTS FILED. [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: RECORD EXCERPTS FILED by Appellant National Religious Broadcasters. Date of service: 07/07/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Farris, Siu [26-40237] (Michael Paul Farris ) [Entered: 07/07/2026 12:41 PM] |
| Filing 24 APPELLANT'S BRIEF FILED A/Pet's Brief deadline satisfied. Appellee's Brief due on 08/06/2026 for Appellees Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and Internal Revenue Service [26-40237] REVIEWED AND/OR EDITED - The original text prior to review appeared as follows: APPELLANT'S BRIEF FILED by National Religious Broadcasters. Date of service: 07/07/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellees: Blacker, Wicks; Attorney for Appellants: Farris, Siu [26-40237] (Michael Paul Farris ) [Entered: 07/07/2026 12:38 PM] |
| Filing 23 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Rita Peters ) [Entered: 07/02/2026 09:00 AM] |
| Filing 22 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (John J. Bursch ) [Entered: 07/01/2026 12:19 PM] |
| Filing 21 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (David Andrew Cortman ) [Entered: 07/01/2026 12:16 PM] |
| Filing 20 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (James A. Campbell ) [Entered: 07/01/2026 12:15 PM] |
| Filing 19 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Jacob P. Warner ) [Entered: 07/01/2026 12:10 PM] |
| Filing 18 BRIEFING NOTICE ISSUED A/Pet's Brief Due on 07/07/2026 for Appellants First Baptist Church Waskom, Intercessors for America, National Religious Broadcasters and Sand Springs Church. [26-40237] (PAC) [Entered: 05/28/2026 08:02 AM] |
| Filing 17 ELECTRONIC RECORD ON APPEAL FILED. Admitted Exhibits on File in District Court? No. Video/Audio Exhibits on File in District Court? No Electronic ROA deadline satisfied. [26-40237] (PAC) [Entered: 05/28/2026 08:01 AM] |
| Filing 16 ELECTRONIC RECORD ON APPEAL REQUESTED from District Court for 6:24-CV-311. Electronic ROA due on 06/04/2026. [26-40237] (RA) [Entered: 05/20/2026 01:53 PM] |
| Filing 15 INITIAL CASE CHECK by Attorney Advisor complete. Action: Case OK to Process. [15] Initial AA Check Due satisfied. [26-40237] (RA) [Entered: 05/20/2026 01:50 PM] |
| Filing 13 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) Sarah Siu for party(s) Appellant National Religious Broadcasters Appellant Sand Springs Church Appellant Intercessors for America Appellant First Baptist Church Waskom, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 05/19/2026 04:55 PM] |
| Filing 12 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? No. [26-40237] (Sarah Siu ) [Entered: 05/18/2026 09:06 PM] |
| Filing 9 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney(s) Marie Wicks for party(s) Appellee Scott Bessent, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service Appellee IRS, in case 26-40237 [26-40237] (SH) [Entered: 05/14/2026 11:53 AM] |
| Filing 8 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? Yes. [26-40237] (Marie Wicks ) [Entered: 05/12/2026 04:41 PM] |
| Filing 7 TRANSCRIPT ORDER received from Appellants First Baptist Church Waskom, Intercessors for America, National Religious Broadcasters and Sand Springs Church advising transcript unnecessary as it is already filed. [26-40237] (ABT) [Entered: 05/05/2026 08:14 AM] |
| Filing 6 APPEARANCE FORM FILED by Attorney Michael Paul Farris for Appellant Intercessors for America in 26-40237, Attorney Michael Paul Farris for Appellant First Baptist Church Waskom in 26-40237, Attorney Michael Paul Farris for Appellant Sand Springs Church in 26-40237, Attorney Michael Paul Farris for Appellant National Religious Broadcasters in 26-40237 [26-40237] (ABT) [Entered: 05/04/2026 03:25 PM] |
| Filing 5 ATTORNEY TRANSCRIPT ORDER form filed by Appellant National Religious Broadcastersfor the Court to process. Date of service: 05/04/2026 via email - Attorney for Appellee: Blacker; Attorney for Appellant: Farris. [26-40237] (Michael Paul Farris ) [Entered: 05/04/2026 03:10 PM] |
| Filing 4 APPEARANCE FORM for the court's review. Lead Counsel? Yes. [26-40237] (Michael Paul Farris ) [Entered: 05/04/2026 03:05 PM] |
| Filing 1 CIVIL RIGHTS CASE docketed. NOA filed by Appellants First Baptist Church Waskom, Intercessors for America, National Religious Broadcasters and Sand Springs Church. [26-40237] (RLL) [Entered: 04/28/2026 09:19 AM] |
Access additional case information on PACER
Access the Case Summary and Docket Report to access additional information about this case on the U.S. Court's PACER system. A subscription to PACER is required.
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
