Crowley Votes Against Religious Discrimination in Head Start Program Hiring

Crowley Votes Against Religious Discrimination in Head Start Program Hiring
9/22/2005

Washington, DC-Today Congressman Joseph Crowley, Chief Deputy Whip, voted against the School Readiness Act of 2005 (HR 2123) after Republicans added an amendment that would allow faith based-sponsored Head Start programs to use federal tax payer dollars to discriminate against qualified teachers and other employees solely because of their religion or personal religious views.

"Using taxpayer money to allow religious discrimination in hiring is grossly anti-American and anti-religion. This amendment dangerously sets the precedent that American citizens should be required to pass a religious test to qualify for a federally funded job," stated Crowley.

The amendment, offered by Congressman Charles Boustany (LA-07), will allow for religious discrimination for the first time in Head Start's 33 year history. Faith based organizations have long participated in the Head Start program and have successfully received federal funding without discriminating with these funds.

The National Head Start Association, along with major civil rights and religious organizations, opposed the amendment by Mr. Boustany and also opposed final passage of the bill as a result. Although the funding would do a great deal to fund head start programs across the country, the legislation will also drastically change the hiring practices of the programs, allowing discrimination and bias against certain religions or religious views.

Congressman Crowley has been a strong supporter of early childhood education and specifically the importance of Head Start programs. With more than 1,500 children benefiting from the program in his district, he has pushed for increased funding fought hard against Republican efforts to cut programs.

"This is yet another example in a laundry list of extremist legislation the Republicans have pushed through Congress. This represents an enormous step back for the civil rights and religious freedoms of all Americans," continued Crowley.

http://crowley.house.gov/news/record.asp?id=706