When President George W. Bush was elected, he proposed a bold new approach to government's role in helping those in need. The President's plan gives faith-based groups the ability to bid for federal dollars on an equal footing to other organizations. This approach allows groups who have traditionally worked in our communities - and who know and care about the individuals involved - to compete for federal funds that will allow them to continue changing lives.
Faith-based groups have a proven record of success in our communities. They have shown that they can help in ways the government cannot. Therefore, I believe it is important that we pass legislation to treat faith-based and secular organizations equally. We need to even the playing field for these organizations as they truly do help our communities.
Congressional Research Service Reports:
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is part of the legislative branch of the federal government. CRS, which is a department of the Library of Congress, works exclusively as a nonpartisan analytical, research, and reference arm for Congress.
CRS Reports are in PDF format. In order to view these files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC. You can download the free reader from Adobe's website. These files may be rather large and may take a few minutes to download.
Charitable Choice, Faith-Based Initiatives, and TANF
Charitable Choice Rules and Faith-Based Organizations
Charitable Choice: Legal and Constitutional Issues
Tax Incentives for Charity: An Overview of Legislative Proposals