Jerry Nadler: “Mr. Chairman, since the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, our Nation has moved inexorably toward the elimination of all…”

“Mr. Chairman, since the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, our Nation has moved inexorably toward the elimination of all forms of discrimination in government contracting and in the private sector. This bill rolls back that commitment that would enshrine the principle of religious discrimination in one of our most important job training programs at a time when many Americans are losing their jobs and need the help these programs offer. Members on the other sides of the aisle say that this would roll back the ability of churches and synagogues to discriminate on the basis of religion now. Nonsense. They can discriminate. No one tells the Catholic Church they have to hire women priests. No one tells the Catholic Church or any other church or synagogue they have to hire a janitor of a different religion. Nor would this amendment. What this says is that with Federal funds, they cannot discriminate. With their own funds they still can. President Reagan, who signed the original version of this legislation 23 years ago, did not think it was necessary to allow employment discrimination with Federal funds. No one should ever be told that they cannot hold a job simply because they profess the wrong faith.”