House Members Favor Head Start Clause that Criminalizes Religious Institutions

The House of Representatives passed an extension to the Head Start low income preschool educational program that will increase to over one million the number covered students. An amendment was also made that would allow religious institutions the ability to participate in Head Start while retaining hiring practices consistent with their beliefs.

Republican Mark Green of Wisconsin stated that religious institutions "should not have to surrender their religious character merely because they choose to try to help out.... The government should not say to them, 'If you want to help out, I'm sorry, you're going to have to deny much of your religious character.'" Republican Virginia Foxx of North Carolina noted "This is about our children, and denying them exemplary services just because the organization happens to be a religious one is just cruel."

Anti-discrimination groups are opposed to the religious amendment - calling it "discrimination" against gays, lesbians, bisexuals or transgenders.

Democrat Betty McCollum of Minnesota said "This is a blatant attack on civil rights, and this sanctions discrimination....discrimination paid for by U.S. tax dollars." George Miller of California noted "It is a violation of our civil rights laws and it has sunk the chances of making this a truly bipartisan bill." Religious institutions are considered criminal under these "civil rights laws.

The White House has already signaled their support of the bill. An effort is under way to revise the language, before it goes before the Senate, to make it illegal for faith-based institution to exercise their beliefs.

House Conservatives Work to Protect Rights of Religious Groups

Homosexual Agenda - Criminalization of Christianity