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Bush: $4 Million for Religious Groups Doing HIV-Prevention

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HHS Secretary
Tommy Thompson

Washington, D.C.--Researchers with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a national church-state watchdog group, have learned of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) program that makes $4 million in grant funds available only to "faith-based" institutions for substance abuse and HIV prevention.

A federal program that makes public funds available exclusively to religious groups is inconsistent with the law and with President George W. Bush's promises about how his "faith-based initiative" will be implemented say AU officials.

According to HHS materials, secular service organizations are not eligible to seek or receive funding under this program.

"This faith-based set-aside is solid evidence from this administration that it is embracing a system of favoritism toward religion," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "This isn't a level playing field, it's an arena where secular groups aren't even allowed to play.

"This religious quota is not only inconsistent with Bush's promises, it is inconsistent with the Constitution," Lynn added. "I believe the White House is inviting a lawsuit it is certain to lose."

In March, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which is part of HHS, announced a multi-million dollar funding opportunity to establish AIDS prevention programs in minority communities.

On the application for funds, one program, worth $4 million, was limited to "faith-based organizations" and "youth-serving organizations collaborating with faith-based organizations."

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Americans United for the Seperation of Church & State

Department of Health & Human Services

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Americans United has written to HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson to notify the department of this program's unconstitutionality.

"The criteria used to select the grant recipients are not neutral and secular but instead favor religion," AU's letter said.

"The aid is not available on a nondiscriminatory basis to both religious and secular beneficiaries, but it is only available to organizations that are religious themselves or are working with religious organizations."

The Bush administration has insisted repeatedly in recent months that it merely wants to allow religious groups to compete with secular organizations for federal grants.

On January 29, for example, Bush unveiled his faith-based initiative at a White House ceremony and said, "Faith-based charities should be able to compete for funding on an equal basis."

AU's Lynn responded, "There's nothing 'equal' about discriminating against secular service providers. It appears that the rhetoric of the faith-based initiative's supporters doesn't match the reality."