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HOUSE PASSES H.R. 7, FAITH-FUNDING SCHEME

American Atheists Charges Bill is "Another Step In Enacting A Religion Tax"

July 19, 2001

The House of Representatives this afternoon passed the controversial "Community Solutions Act," H.R. 7, by a 233 - 198 vote and gave President Bush a major victory in his effort to use public money in order to fund religion-based social programs.

Lawmakers resisted efforts to amend the measure. One proposal introduced by Rep. Charles Rangel of New York would have repealed that provision of the Act which immunizes churches and other houses of worship that accept public funding to by-pass state and local anti-discrimination statutes. The measure failed on a voice vote and a subsequent roll call. Critics have attacked H.R. 7, pointing out that it is the first federal program that would allow grantees to use religion as a litmus test in hiring practices.

"Why does a Jewish lunch program need to hire only Jews to serve the soup? asked Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) "Why does a Baptist church need to hire only Baptists to distribute blankets? Did the Good Samaritan ask the person in need if he were gay, or believed in a certain religion?"

Representatives took up the measure as the first order of business, after key Republican leaders abruptly canceled debate and vote which had been expected yesterday. While GOP strategists gave no reason for the delay, sources say that a number of representatives continued to express concerns over the discriminatory aspects of the bill.

During today's debate, lawmakers argued fiscal policy, the role of religion in the public square, and the separation of church and state.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) warned that if religious groups began accepting public money to operate social program, the price would be heavy government regulation. "The IRS will have a field day," said Lee. She proposed to offer the First Amendment as an "amendment" to H.R. 7, and added, "The Bill of Rights means something, that we cannot establish a religion through the government..."

Others admitted that religious groups already are provided with huge subsidies, but are prohibited from discriminating and may not presumably mix preaching and proselytizing with their social service mission. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) revealed that Lutheran Social Services currently receives $2.5 billion annually in subsidies, with Catholic Social Services receiving about $1.6 billion. She did not quote the source of those figures.

Both Reps. John Conyers and Jerrold Nadler acknowledged that charities operated by religious groups do receive government money, but must establish separate corporations and avoid injecting sectarian content into their programs. Conyers spoke of "faith-based groups dispensing millions of dollars in social services," while Nadler, a New York Democrat, referred to an amount in the "billions of dollars" range.

Conyers joined with Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia) in criticizing the need for H.R. 7, and particularly the contention that the measure was necessary to give religious groups the funding required to address social problems. "Any program or group that can get funding under H.R. 7 can get funding today," said Scott, "but they can't discriminate."

He added, "This bill isn't about new programs, since any program can be funded now. H.R. 7 just provides new discrimination."

Scott recalled that a public law promoted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 outlawed the use of tax funds for any group or project that discriminates on the basis of race or religion.

Rep. Sheila Lee, who addressed the House chamber several times during the course of debate over the bill, denounced the idea of having "a referendum on faith" in awarding government contracts for religion-based programs, and quoted Madison's warning on establishing a religion and compelling citizens to worship a God.

"Discrimination on the basis of religion somewhere is discrimination everywhere," Lee added.

American Atheists President Ellen Johnson charged that today was an unfortunate step toward the creation of a "Religion Tax."

"Representatives who opposed this bill had good reasons, including the fact that H.R. 7 discriminates on the basis of religion. But even if churches are permitted to take money and have to obey civil rights laws, it's still OUR money."

Johnson added that the faith-based initiative "imposes a tax on 27 million Americans who profess no religious belief."

H.R. 7 is co-sponsored by Reps. J.C. Watts (R-Oklahoma) and Tony Hall (D-Ohio). With today's vote, the measure heads for the U.S. Senate and another round of debate.

For further information:

See Flash Line archive of articles on public funding of religion.

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 254

"The Community Solutions Act" (HR 7)

(Republicans in roman; Democrats in italic; Independents underlined)

CONGRESS SUDDENLY POSTPONES DEBATE, VOTE ON FAITH-FUNDING BILL

July 18, 2001 - from AANEWS

The House of Representatives today abruptly postponed a vote on President Bush's faith-based initiative, prompting questions over the future of the controversial legislation.

Lawmakers had been expected to debate and then approve the bill, but reports from Capitol Hill say that behind the scenes in GOP ranks, there are growing questions of whether the legislation can find the sort of bi-partisan support it needs to clear both houses of Congress.

GOP leaders offered no explanation for the delay. Associated Press, though, is reporting that "several" anonymous sources point to provisions of the measure, H.R. 7, which would permit houses of worship to discriminate in their hiring practices and still accept government money, as reasons for the delay. The "discrimination issue was the topic of a lively debate at a closed-door weekly meeting of the Republican rank-and-file," noted AP.

Some Republicans, including Rep. Mark Foley of Florida were hoping to amend the legislation so that religious groups would have to comply with local and state anti-discrimination ordinances.

These latest developments are in stark contrast to the situation earlier today on the Hill when the House began its regular business. Yesterday, President Bush and other supporters of H.R. 7, dubbed the "Community Solutions Act," were in full-court press lobbying wavering Democrats and even some hesitant Republicans.

"The time to fish or cut bait is here," declared Rep. J.C. Watts Jr. of Oklahoma, a co-sponsor of the measure. He added that three House Democrats had signed on to the legislation, and he expected several other members of the Congressional Black Caucus to also support the measure. Yesterday, CBC member Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) met with Mr. Bush and announced that he would vote for the bill.

Republican strategists also worked yesterday and through last night, turning up the heat on Black members of Congress, and noting that civil rights heroine Rosa Parks has announced her support for Mr. Bush's faith-based initiative. Isaac Randolph of the Community Solutions Alliance said that his group was also lobbying lawmakers, adding "We are particularly asking members of the Congressional Black Caucus to stand with us in support of this legislation and black churches."

Randolph added that "Black churches, especially in our low-income communities, will be the greatest beneficiaries of (the bill) and the president's plan."

Many black lawmakers, though, were holding firm and said they would be voting against the Watts measure. Texas Democrat Eddie Bernice, chair of the CBC blasted the legislation saying that it would give religious groups a legal instrument to ignore anti-discrimination laws and still accept government funding.

"The charitable-choice provision in its current form threatens to undermine nearly 80 years of federal civil rights protections against discrimination," Rep. Bernice warned. "We cannot afford to roll back the strides made in the civil rights movement."

Rep. Tony Hall (D-Ohio), a co-sponsor of the "Community Solutions Act," dismissed such concerns, noting that religious groups already have a government dispensation thanks to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. "There's nothing new here," he told the Washington Times. "They (religious groups) can hire who they want to hire. For (opponents) to call that discrimination ... is not right."

Attempts to amend the funding measure and require that houses of worship which accept public money comply with local and state statutes failed last night, when the House Rules Committee rejected an amendment offered by Rep. Mark Foley.

Less Cost -- For Now

The current version of H.R. 7 is considered a scaled-down version of the original legislation, and reduces the amount which taxpayers who do not itemize could give to give to charitable groups and receive a tax credit. The House Ways and Means Committee set a $25 cap on deductions which could eventually rise to $100 per year, providing $6.3 billion in donations over the next decade. That would mean that greater funding for the faith-based initiative would not be in the form of "voluntary," tax-deductible contributions, but direct government grants.

A spokesperson for Catholic Charities denounced the cut-back, and said that while the group still supports the faith-based initiative, "the amount of money is so small it's almost funny.,"

Looking Ahead -- Starting Tonight

There is no word on precisely when, or even if H.R. 7 could be brought up on the House floor for a vote. One source says that the legislation could be introduced later this evening, or even tomorrow. On Tuesday, House Republican leaders told Mr. Bush that according to their latest counts, they expect to have the votes to approve the bill, although the margin depends on the support of renegade Democrats. Watts predicted a majority with 218 law makers voting for H.R. 7.

Even if the measure clears the House, the prospects are dimmer in the U.S. Senate where Democrats are in slight control, and many on both sides of the aisle see H.R. 7 as politically unrealistic and constitutionally flawed. This afternoon, in reporting on the sudden move to postpone a vote in the House, news services began to refer to "snags" and "trouble" in Mr. Bush's effort to divert billions of dollars into the coffers of faith-based social programs.

A vote could still come at any time, and AANEWS will keep you informed.

For further information:
American Atheists Flash Line: Faith-Based Initiative.

Subscribe to AANEWS and receive dispatches like this by email.

AS HOUSE PREPARES FOR VOTE ON HR7 FAITH TAX, "THE DAY THAT COUNTS" ARRIVES

17-July-2001

Call it serendipitous and fortuitous.

The House of Representatives is poised for a vote on H.R. 7, the "Community Solutions Act" which is considered the first step in funding President George W. Bush's expansive program to involve religious groups in the operation of tax-funded social services. Should the measure clear Capitol Hill, it would seriously alter the tenuous separation of church and state, and result in what critics charge is the imposition of a "Religion Tax" on the American people. H.R. 7, though, could face unexpected opposition, especially since -- if all goes according to plan -- hundreds and thousands of letters, phone calls and faxes are landing in Washington from the country's diverse community of nonbelievers.

After two months of planning, organizing, and a press conference in Washington, DC last week, the day has arrived. It is Tuesday, July 17, "The Day That Counts."

"It's been quite a challenge, but we think we're about to make a difference with this campaign," said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists. In May, Johnson set out to enlist the nation's numerous and sundry Atheist, Freethought, Secular Humanist and other nonbeliever groups in an effort to close ranks around a single issue -- the federal faith-based initiative -- and get people in touch with their elected representatives in Washington.

"The whole campaign has been very modest yet very bold at the same time," said Johnson. "Getting all of us together is, well, a bit like herding butterflies, and everyone wants to go their own way.

"We thought that government funding of religion-based programs was one issue we could work together on, and I think we've done that."

The idea is to have all of these different people-of-no-faith, whatever label they choose in calling themselves, to send letters and faxes to Congressional Representatives and Senators on one day in hopes of influencing the end game on bills like HR 7.

"So far, everything about this debate has involved religious groups," said Johnson. "Some denominations favor the faith-based initiative, and others are against it. And what public input there has been over this issue has involved churches and other houses of worship, not us."

The "us" is the 27 million or so Americans who describe themselves with words like "Atheist," "Freethinker," Humanist," "Agnostic" or some other term. For Johnson, this is a sizable minority that has been sidelined in the discussion of public policy issues concerning the First Amendment, including the creation of Bush's new White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

"When Congress holds hearings on these types of issues, they bring in panels of 'experts' from all of the different religious denominations. 'The Day That Counts' is a step in trying to break this exclusionary policy," she added.

To build that broad, ad hoc coalition together in opposition to HR 7, Johnson began by sending out over 150 letters to national, regional and local groups. A few were returned, but slowly organizations began signing up and pledged to mobilize their members. Along the way, there was some complaining and bickering over the sort of issues that have divided nonbelievers for years; but Johnson says that the response was generally gratifying, even a bit overwhelming. The small list of endorsing organizations and individual supporters began to grow, and as of this evening, 78 organizations have signed on for "The Day That Counts." Over 2500 individuals have lent their names in support as well.

"For me, the high point was last week in Washington," said Johnson. "Who would have thought that all of these different organizations would get together and have their representatives standing next to each other and speaking out against the faith-based initiative?"

The media nibbled a bit, and while the conference wasn't carried on C-SPAN as had been hoped, stories appeared in The Washington Times, Religion News Service and other outlets. "It was important to break that 'digital blackout' that has existed, and allowed only religious organizations to have their say in their media," said Johnson.

Ron Barrier, who spoke at the press conference as a representative of the Staten Island Metro Atheists, noted that "a lot more newspapers and news services would be here today if we were a coalition of religious groups supporting or opposing this legislation... that's an example of the bias that we still have to put up with."

Will "The Day That Counts" make a difference? Johnson says "yes."

"It was a big step in building the kind of single-issue unity that we need if we're going to have any clout on legislative issues," she said. "We're always going to have different groups and different labels, styles and agendas, but we can sometimes work together on the important public policy concerns that all of us face."

For further information:
"Bush runs for cover amidst Salvation Army influence peddling scandal". American Atheists Flash-Line story.

Update... Saturday, July 7, 2001 2:20 PM

NUMBERS SURGE AS ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS ENDORSE "THE DAY THAT COUNTS" CAMPAIGN

Historic Press Conference In DC Unites Groups Speaking Out Against Faith-Based Funding

Sixty-three organizations and over 1700 individuals have endorsed "The Day That Counts," according to campaign organizers. Representatives from nearly a dozen leading Atheist, Freethought, Secular Humanists and other nonbeliever groups will be heading to Washington, D.C. shortly, for an historic media conference at the National Press Club.

That will kick off an effort to mobilize thousands of nonbelievers and have them contact their U.S.congressional representatives and senators on or about July 17, which has been designated as "The Day That Counts."

"We hope to see hundreds of thousands of letters, phone calls and faxes flooding Capitol Hill in opposition to the federal faith-based initiative," said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists. "So far, religious groups have monopolized the debate over public funding of faith-based outreaches, and it's about time that government officials hear from America's 27 million people who have no religious beliefs."

As of Saturday afternoon, July 7, sixty-three national, regional and community nonbeliever organizations have endorsed "The Day That Counts" campaign. They include Campus Freethought Alliance, Council for Secular Humanism, American Atheists, Atheists United, Atheist Alliance, Gay and Lesbian Atheists and Humanists, and the Secular Student Alliance. Also adding their support are numerous Humanist and Freethought groups from Iowa, Ohio, Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Other Atheist-Freethought-Humanist organizations include Atheist Community of Austin (Texas), North Texas Church of Freethought, Metroplex Atheists, Pennsylvania Nonbelievers, Michigan Atheists, Utah Atheists and many more. Positive Atheism Magazine has also endorsed the campaign.

In a statement to news media announcing the Tuesday, July 10 press conference in the nation's capital, Ms. Johnson said that this will be "an historic event."

"Despite differences over labels and programs and everything else that is just part of being politically active, we are bringing together an impressive list of organizations that represent some of the nation's 27 million people who describe themselves as Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers and Humanists. This is evidence that on single issues of vital importance, we can and should work together where possible."

Johnson again noted that the debate over funding for President Bush's faith-based initiative has been one-sided.

"It's been an in-house argument between and among religious groups," said Johnson. "They're arguing over whether public funding of faith-based social programs would 'threaten' religious organizations, but they're conveniently ignoring millions of Americans who will end up paying for this blatant government sponsorship of religion."

"We don't care whether some religious groups, or all of them end up having access to the public treasury. The point is that NO religious organizations should be receiving public funding under any circumstances and for any purposes."

Johnson criticized claims by President Bush and other supporters of the faith-based initiative that tax money would go for public services, not any religious proselytizing or activities.

"The record on 'charitable choice' and other aid-to-religion schemes clearly shows that many of these faith-based groups are unable, or simply unwilling to segregate money. They can't set aside their religious mission when carrying out social programs. And there is no proof that when these groups do get money, they are necessarily any more efficient and effective than their secular counterparts."

Johnson said that immediately after the Tuesday press conference, her group and others will begin urging members to start writing letters to senators and congressional representatives.

* Tuesday's press conference was originally to have been broadcast live on the internet. Due to technical problems with the NPC, however, that broadcast will be time delayed. We hope to have video and audio streaming of the entire event at "The Day That Counts" web site shortly thereafter. Visit http://www.thedaythatcounts.org/ for more information.

* Your local, regional or national group can still endorse "The Day That Counts." Individuals may also lend their name in support of this action. Visit http://www.thedaythatcounts.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 29, 2001

AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.thedaythatcounts.org
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (973)334-5110
Ron Barrier, Dir. Communications (718)967-6453

AMERICA'S ATHEISTS AND NONBELIEVERS SPEAK OUT
AGAINST PUBLIC FUNDING OF
FAITH-BASED SOCIAL PROGRAMS

July 10 DC Press Conference to Energize "The Day That Counts" Campaign

Representatives from over a dozen of America's atheist, freethought and secular humanist organizations have launched a concerted effort to join together in defeating President Bush's federal faith-based initiative.

"The Day That Counts" campaign is hoping to flood offices on capitol hill with hundreds of thousands of letters, phone calls and faxes from America's estimated 27 million people who describe themselves as atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists or some other label which renders them nonbelievers in a non-human deity or religious creed.

"That's a bigger number than most religious denominations," said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, the group which organized "The Day That Counts" effort.

The coalition of groups will kickoff its campaign with a media conference on Tuesday, July 10 at the National Press Conference in Washington, DC beginning at 1PM.

Over fifty local, state and national organizations have endorsed the campaign. They include American Atheists, Atheist Alliance, Atheists United and the Council on Secular Humanism. Local groups from cities like Austin Texas (Atheist Community of Austin) to San Francisco Atheists have signed on as well. An endorsement campaign at the group's web site has generated hundreds of individual signatories as well.

"So far, the debate over the federal faith-based initiative has involved only political and religious elites, and fretted about how the legislation may impact organized religion," said Ms. Johnson. "But this is a case of taking money from tens of millions of atheists and other nonbelievers in this nation, and using it to promote religion-based programs. That amounts to a 'Religion Tax' on the American people, and we intend to stop it."

Ms. Johnson noted that while the various groups involved in "The Day That Counts" campaign go by different labels and often have disagreements, "this is one issue that affects every one of us, right in our pocket books and wallets."

The media is invited to the Tuesday, July 10 press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

http://www.thedaythatcounts.org

American Atheists, Inc.
P.O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel: (908)276-7300
Fax: (908)276-7402

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