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Alert: Bush Faith-Based Initiative
Faces Full House Vote

Compiled By GayToday

Washington, D.C.--As early as Wednesday, the full House is expected to vote on the "Community Solutions Act" (H.R. 7), a bill that would implement President George W. Bush's proposal for government-funded religion.

Rather than responding to a number of serious Constitutional concerns that have been raised about the Bush proposal, H.R. 7 has been forced through the House with the same controversial provisions that allow for discrimination in hiring decisions and in the delivery of services.

Furthermore, the bill has actually been made more dangerous because it now includes a provision that would allow Cabinet Secretaries to turn any existing social program into a voucher program without Congressional approval. And despite claims by President Bush that his proposal would provide new money for social service programs, H.R. 7 includes no new funds.

Take Action!

The House will be voting this week on President Bush's proposal. Even if you have written before, please send a new letter today. The legislation now has much wider implications with its voucher provisions. You can read more about this legislation and send a FREE updated fax from ACLU's action alert at: http://www.aclu.org/action/charchoice107.html

Extra Credit:
Senate Committee to Consider Faith-Based Provision

Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have introduced a bill called the "Drug Abuse Education, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2001" (S. 304). Despite its positive-sounding title, this legislation is saddled with provisions that violate civil liberties by increasing the penalties for non-violent drug offenders and by expanding the Bush faith-based programs into providing drug-related social services.

The Leahy/Hatch bill would direct the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review current penalties for drug crimes and increase the penalties for certain crimes. However federal drug laws are already extraordinarily harsh, and there are better ways to control drug use than sending drug offenders to prison for longer terms.

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:

Controversy: Bush's Secret Anti-Gay Bigotry in Flames

NGLTF Denounces Bush Plan: Pay Texes to Churches

Bush's Faith-Based Plan Invites Religious Bigotry

Related Sites:
American Civil Liberties Union

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Furthermore, the Leahy/Hatch bill would remove federal rules and licensing requirements for religious programs that administer drug-related social services. The federal government must not fund unqualified groups to administer to those in need.

Take Action! It is important that Senators understand that this bill would do more harm than good. You can read more about S. 304 and send a FREE FAX from our action alert at:

http://www.aclu.org/action/leahydrug107.html




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