Religiously oriented groups that provide federal preschool programs could refuse to hire based on religion -- that's under a measure approved by a House subcommittee as part of a Head Start overhaul.
The bill has an anti-discrimination clause, but it would not apply in hiring people whose religion could affect the organization's work.
The sponsor, Republican Rep. Mike Castle, of Delaware, says faith-based organizations cannot be expected to sustain their religious mission without the ability to employ those who practice their faith, "because it's that faith that motivates them to serve."
But Illinois Democrat Danny Davis says he's amazed to have legislation "that would try and convince faith-based institutions and organizations that they ought to discriminate."
The bill, approved in a party-line vote, now goes to the full committee.