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Coming Soon to a School Near You: A "Level Playing Field" for U. S. Taxpayer Dollars to Go to Faith-Based Groups
WASHINGTON - Attorney General John Ashcroft yesterday endorsed giving religious organizations government money for social services.
Speaking in Denver to a conference of religious groups, Ashcroft said the government has discriminated against such groups and President Bush is determined they should have access to federal money to provide services.
"Out of fear, ignorance and occasional bigotry, faith-based groups have been prohibited from competing for federal funding on a level playing field with secular groups," Ashcroft said in a text of his speech released at the Justice Department.
"For the first time in a long time, our leaders in Washington understand what Americans of all religious backgrounds have long held to be true: Through faith, all things are possible," he said.
As a senator prior to being named attorney general in 2001, Ashcroft was one of the early architects of legislation to ease restrictions on federal funds for religious programs. The programs provide such services as drug and alcohol rehabilitation, child care and help for domestic violence victims.
The White House has signaled that Bush will try again this year to win passage of the initiative.
— The Associated Press
Faith-Based Plan Pressed
Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://www.timesdispatch.com/frontpage/MGBG06J7XAD.html
Jan. 14, 2002
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