Issues
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Faith-Based Organizations Faith-based organizations play an integral role in our society. I serve on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, which has been reviewing issues dealing with gang violence and prison overcrowding. Hands down, faith-based organizations have been the most effective deterrent to both problems. These organizations exist in virtually every community of every state, and while I agree there should be a clear distinction between religion and functions of government, I see no problem with supporting and utilizing these effective resources. The synergy between illegal drug use, gang violence, and recidivism is alarming. Federal, state and local governments continue to increase funding for jails and law enforcement but this has had little impact on drug use, gang violence, and recidivism. To that end, I am a chief proponent of the Second Chance Act, H.R. 1593. This legislation authorizes $165 million to fund re-entry programs, many of which are also faith-based organizations, for the next two years to help reduce recidivism. |