Urge Congress to Remove the Charitable
Choice Provision from H.R. 7
Weekly Message 2001, #20 from the UCC Justice and
Peace Ministry
[6-26-01]
After several weeks of intense criticism aimed at the
Charitable Choice component of President Bush's Faith-Based and
Community Initiatives proposal, the Administration put forth a slightly
revised version of Charitable Choice in an attempt to salvage support
for the measure.
The revisions have been included in a House bill
entitled "The Community Solutions Act" (H.R. 7) introduced by
Reps. J.C. Watts (OK-R) and Tony Hall (OH-D). Despite the revisions,
this remains a highly problematic version of Charitable Choice. The
House Ways and Means and Judiciary Committees are expected to mark up
H.R. 7 the week of July 9th and push to have H.R. 7 voted on before the
August recess.
Aside from the Charitable Choice provision, H.R. 7 is
a good tax package that allows non-itemizers to deduct their charitable
giving on the short tax form. However, problems with Charitable Choice
provision are numerous, including the possibility of government-funded
discriminatory practices and the burden of heavy government involvement
in faith communities. Members of Congress need to be informed about the
potential problems as well as benefits associated with Charitable Choice
for religious organizations, beneficiaries, and state and local
governments.
Contact your members of Congress and urge them to
oppose H.R. 7 with the Charitable Choice provision. Voice concern about
the dangers of Charitable Choice. You may refer to the UCC "Working
Principles on Charitable Choice" document included in the June
all-church mailing, available on the UCC website (www.ucc.org).
Capitol Hill Switchboard (202) 224-3121.
This Weekly Message is sent by e-mail every Monday
for use in church newsletters and bulletins the following Sunday. To
add new names to this weekly advocacy service from the UCC Justice and
Peace Ministry, for more information or to remove your name from the
list, reply to jpmdc@ucc.org. For
additional information on the UCC and the Justice and Peace Ministry,
log on to the UCC website at www.ucc.org.
