December 8, 1999
House approves bill giving
funds to religious groups
___WASHINGTON (ABP)--The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a new grant initiative that would allow federal tax dollars to flow directly to thoroughly religious organizations such as churches, synagogues and other houses of worship.
___On a 328 to 93 vote, House lawmakers approved the Fathers Count Act Nov. 10. The measure would in part make religious groups eligible to receive tax dollars to provide secular social services to fathers and families.
___Lawmakers rejected an amendment that would have required houses of worship to set up separate organizations for secular social services in order to qualify for federal funds.
___"There is nothing wrong, given some basic safeguards, with faith-based organizations such as the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities receiving federal money to run social programs," said Chet Edwards, D-Texas. "There is something terribly wrong about federal tax dollars going directly to churches, synagogues and houses of worship."
___Edwards offered the amendment to add restrictions to what type of religious organizations could receive funds. The amendment failed 184 to 238.
___Since houses of worship are allowed to hire people only from their own religion, the law would allow federal dollars to be used to discriminate against citizens in job hiring and firing based on their religious faith, Edwards said.
___"Signs in one church using federal dollars may say, 'no Jews need apply here' and another church say, 'no Christians' or 'no Protestants need apply here.' I find that offensive," Edwards said.
___But Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., disagreed. "We can get into all kinds of legal technicalities here about whether we should have types of separate organizations and how it should be structured," he said. "But the plain fact of the matter is that at the grass-roots level, in urban American and African-American and Hispanic communities, the organizations that are by far the most effective are faith-based."
___Churches receiving money "still have to make a proposal to whatever entity ... and then the government audits that," Souder said.
___Edwards responded that Souder's statement pointed to another problem he has with the plan. When federal money goes to houses of worship, regulations will follow. "When money goes directly to the church, the federal government, to provide accountability to the taxpayers, is going to have to audit every dime raised and spent by that church," he said.
___A leading proponent of "charitable choice" during the House floor debate acknowledged that churches receiving federal aid would be subject to government regulations.
___"Yes, there will be red tape," said Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn. "The churches who choose to receive federal money will be regulated. If they don't like it, I can't help it. If it's federal dollars, you are accountable."
___Johnson said faith-based agencies have been so effective in providing social services because "they believe that their goal is not just to help temporarily but to change lives."
___But advocates for the separation of church and state contend charitable-choice plans are unconstitutional.
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