Mike Pence: “I rise with a deep sense of gratitude to our majority whip, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), and to his…”

“I rise with a deep sense of gratitude to our majority whip, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), and to his colleague, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ford), for their yeoman's work in crafting the Blunt-Ford Charitable Giving Act. It is an extraordinary piece of legislation that will encourage the investment by everyday Americans into the organizations that make our communities great. While this bill is targeted to all charities, its impact will be profound, especially in the faith-based community. It is worthy of noting that 75 percent of food pantries are religious-based, 71 percent of food kitchens are faith-based, and 43 percent of shelters in this country are faith-based providers. Today's Blunt-Ford Charitable Giving Act is part of President Bush's vision of a faith-based initiative encouraging everyday Americans to come along side those who each and every day do for the least of these. I strongly support this legislation and strongly urge its passage today.”