Faith-based Initiative Opponents Fear Hiring Discrimination by Religious Groups

October 8, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

On October 8, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "A coalition of civil rights groups and liberal House Democrats has mounted an aggressive lobbying campaign to block President Bush's faith-based initiative in the Senate unless the bill explicitly prohibits religious charities from discriminating when hiring... The White House does not want the anti-discrimination language added, because some House conservatives and many evangelical groups have said they will not be able to support the faith-based legislation if it bars religious groups from hiring people who share their beliefs. Initially, civil rights groups indicated they would not oppose the Senate bill. But some rights groups, including the NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus, said they have been alarmed at the administration's intention to allow hiring discrimination by religious groups in other federal programs and changed their position as a result."