NEW YORK, USA - The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed deep disappointment with the House of Representatives for passing a flawed "charitable choice" bill and urged members of the U.S. Senate to reject the "constitutionally objectionable" legislation.
Glen A. Tobias, ADL National Chairman and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:
"We are deeply disappointed that members of the House of Representatives passed the most seriously flawed and constitutionally objectionable 'charitable choice' legislation that has ever reached the House floor.
The bill fails to provide safeguards against proselytizing, making it virtually impossible to monitor providers who receive aid. Moreover, the bill as drafted would allow for extremist, racist or other hate-motivated groups to receive taxpayer funds to support their organizations.
By passing this bill today, the House has dealt a significant setback for civil rights and religious liberties. We urge the Senate to reject the House's position on 'charitable choice.'
The legislation is also designed to override existing state and local laws that protect employees from discrimination and explicitly permits recipients of government contracts to discriminate in hiring and promotion decisions on the basis of religion. ADL will continue in its efforts to block the passage of this legislation in conjunction with the broad coalition of religious, civil rights and education groups opposing it.