Gary Hart: “Mr. Chairman, the amendment has been explained in a number of, I think, quite confusing ways this afternoon. I think it…”

“Mr. Chairman, the amendment has been explained in a number of, I think, quite confusing ways this afternoon. I think it is important that we make clear what this amendment does. This amendment changes the Civil Rights Act. The amendment would prevent religious organizations from employing persons in a manner that is consistent with their faith as currently allowed and allowed for a number of years under the Civil Rights Act. This amendment, again, changes the Civil Rights Act and in my opinion takes the rights of people away. The amendment would really destroy the opportunity for many very small faith-based institutions to continue operating as they do today. Do not tell my constituents in the very small towns that I represent in western Pennsylvania that they are not allowed to utilize those from their faith community to provide the services that they currently provide. In fact, many of the people who actually provide those services are not employed; they are volunteers.”