wo measures have been introduced on capitol hill which call for various methods of public funding for religious groups seeking to compete for government contracts in order to operate faith-based ministries.

   ¶    In the House, Reps. J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-Okla.) and Tony Hall (D-Ohio) filed the "Community Solutions Act," reportedly designated as H.R. 7. The measure includes a "charitable deduction" on tax forms for those Americans who do not itemize, and who contribute money to religious or charitable groups. It also establishes a liability protection for corporate donors who make grants or other contributions to the same organizations.

   The most controversial part of the measure expands the so-called "charitable choice' provision which was originally included in the 1996 welfare reform act sponsored by then-Sen. John Ashcroft, and allows religious groups to solicit government subsidies in order to operate a wide range of social service outreaches. A list circulated by House Republicans mentions housing, juvenile justice programs, community development block grants, job training, child welfare and child care services, crime prevention programs, senior citizen services, domestic violence programs and hunger relief outreaches.

   The measure bans discrimination against any religious or religion-affiliate organization on the basis of belief in the awarding of government funding.

   Other parts of the Watts-Hall legislation are included as possible "selling points" during the legislative process. They provide for the creation of special bank accounts for lower-income Americans which would be matched by contributions from financial institutions.

   At a news conference in the Canon House Office Building, Watts and Hall were joined by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill) in praising the new legislation. "Caring for the poor and needy is not a partisan issue," declared Watts. "The faith-based proposals and charitable tax incentives we will soon consider in Congress will garner the support of a wide array of lawmakers. Charity is a subject that transcends party lines."

   ¶    In the Senate, a narrower faith-based initiative bill is being introduced today by Sens. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) The measure omits the "charitable choice" provisions in the Watts-Hall bill, but like the House version offers a new deduction for charitable contributions.

   Both measures are part of the debate over government funding for religion-based social outreaches. President George W. Bush is promoting his new White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives which, he hopes, will direct public funds to sectarian groups operate a battery of social programs. Critics say the plan violates the separation of church and state, and imposes a "Religion tax" on Americans.

   American Atheists announced that it would launch a campaign to defeat HR 7. Ellen Johnson, President of the group, declared that the legislation "dips in the wallets and pocketbooks of millions of Americans who are Atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers, and uses that money to fund an unconstitutional entitlement program that benefits religion and religious organizations."

   Already, both bills are drawing opposition from critics who say that the measures will drain money needed for direct aid to the poor, and will end up favoring some charities over others.

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