Lynn C. Woolsey: “the Woolsey-Miller-Payne-Andrews-Van Hollen-Frank-Scott-Nadler amendment is a Democratic substitute to H.R. 3030. This…”

“the Woolsey-Miller-Payne-Andrews-Van Hollen-Frank-Scott-Nadler amendment is a Democratic substitute to H.R. 3030. This Democratic substitute is word for word the same as H.R. 3030 except for one big difference: the Democratic substitute prohibits religious discrimination with Federal CSBG funds. It does this by making just three changes to the underlying bill. First, the Democratic substitute adds the word ``religion'' to the list of protected groups that cannot be discriminated against with CSBG funds. This list now prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex. We want to add religion to that. Second, the substitute does not include the title VII exemption to the Civil Rights Act, which is in current CSBG law, permitting faith-based organizations to discriminate based on religion when hiring with Federal funds. In other words, Mr. Chairman, religious discrimination is not allowed when using Federal funds. Finally, the substitute adds a provision to clarify that while religious organizations are welcome and able to participate in CSBG, they must conduct their activities in a lawful and secular manner when using Federal funds.”