Bobby Scott: “this amendment does not propose any new initiative. The adoption of this amendment will simply keep the law the way it…”

“this amendment does not propose any new initiative. The adoption of this amendment will simply keep the law the way it has been in job training programs since 1965. Much has been said about court cases. None of those court cases involved Federal money. They involve church money and what the church can do with its church money; and whether it is religious or secular activities, it is still the church's money, not Federal money. Since 1965 there has been no discrimination with Federal money, at least until these faith-based initiatives came along. In fact, since 1941 there has been no discrimination in defense contracts, without exception. So if you want to sell the Army some rifles, if you discriminate in employment, the Army will not buy those rifles from you. Mr. Chairman, a lot has been said about the Clinton administration. Let me say I will be introducing into the Record statements made at the signing of those bills outlining the interpretation of the Clinton administration, outlining why there would be no discrimination in employment under the Clinton administration, notwithstanding the language in those various bills. There has been no discrimination against faith-based organizations. Speakers have suggested that they cannot get contracts. The fact of the matter is that they can get contracts. In fact, anybody that can get funded under the underlying bill could be funded if the organization would simply agree not to discriminate in employment.”