Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-Ga.) is sponsoring legislation that creates tax-free savings accounts that can be used for a variety of education costs, including tuition at religious and other private elementary and secondary schools. Debate on the bill, titled the Parent and Student Savings Account Plus Act (so-called "A+ Accounts"), is scheduled to begin today.

"The Coverdell bill is just another battle front in the relentless crusade to divert public dollars toward private religious schools," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "Members of Congress have tried and failed to pass voucher bills for the District of Columbia and the nation. Now, they've rolled out their latest attempt to undermine church-state separation and ignore public schools in need of support. I'd give the A+ Accounts an 'F.'"

Many political observers note that legislation like this appears to be part of the continuing efforts of congressional leaders to cater to the demands of the Religious Right. Groups such as Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition and James Dobson's Focus on the Family have been increasingly critical of Congress for failing to deliver on their right-wing agenda.

"Clearly, the Religious Right has leaders in Congress running scared," Lynn said. "Congressional leaders know two things for sure: elections are a few months away and the Religious Right wants them to pass this bill. Robertson and Dobson tell Congress to jump and they ask 'How high?'"

Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization represents some 50,000 members and allied houses of worship in all 50 states.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State
1816 Jefferson Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Telephone: 202.466.3234 x215
Fax: 202.466.2587
WWW site: http://www.au.org/