Legislation which would oblige the US military to accomodate “actions and speech” reflecting the “conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of members of the armed services is being “strongly opposed” by the Obama Administration.

Section 530 of the National Defence Authorisation Act ia an amendment introduced by Republican Representative John Fleming from Louisiana.

In a statement, President Obama’s Executive Office said, “The administration strongly objects to section 530, which would require the Armed Forces to accommodate, except in cases of military necessity, ‘actions and speech’ reflecting the ‘conscience, moral principles or religious beliefs of the member.

“By limiting the discretion of commanders to address potentially problematic speech and actions within their units,” it continues, “this provision would have a significant adverse effect on good order, discipline, morale, and mission accomplishment.”

The statement said that the President was likely to veto the Bill in its current format.

In response, Mr Fleming criticised the White House, accusing it of “endorsing military reprimands of members who keep a Bible on their desk or express a religious belief”.

“That is an outrageous position, but it’s what I’ve come to expect from an administration that is aggressively hostile toward religious beliefs that it deems to be politically incorrect.”

Fleming added that the purpose of the amendment is to protect the free speech of service members who hold religious beliefs.

“It has bipartisan support and takes into account the unique context of military service, accommodating the beliefs of our service members, while not jeopardizing military necessity,” Fleming said. “We need to protect the free speech of the brave warriors who fight to safeguard our liberties, and I hope Congress will reject this blatant White House attack on religious freedom.”

Alliance Defending Freedom Litigation Counsel Kellie Fiedorek said that the stance of the White House was unconstitutional.

“Service members shouldn’t be denied the very constitutional liberties they have volunteered to defend,” Ms Fiedorek said. “It is clear that the Obama administration opposes constitutional religious freedom for service men and women, and this is the latest example of this administration’s hostility toward religious service members.

“Antagonism toward people of faith—namely Christians—in the military is real, and it is disappointing that the president is unwilling to support laws that protect and defend the basic liberty of religious freedom”.

Senator Ted Cruz, a rising star in the Republican Party said that the amendment came amid reports that US servicemen and women were being threatened with disciplinary measures and perhaps court martial for sharing their faith with others.

Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in the Capitol, Cruz said: “The idea that we would say to men and women who are risking their lives … that they have to check their First Amendment rights at the door and give up the right to speak the truth and to speak and defend their faith, it’s wrong and it’s unconstitutional.”