House Passes Head Start Reauthorization; Includes Discriminatory Hiring Amendment

House Passes Head Start Reauthorization; Includes Discriminatory Hiring Amendment
September 22, 2005

Washington, D.C., September 22nd - The House passed a reauthorization of the popular "Head Start" pre-Kindergarten program today, but unfortunately included an amendment that would allow, for the first time in its 33 year history, discrimination in the hiring practices of religious organizations that participate in the program.

"A vote in favor of Head Start should be a no-brainer," said Moran. "The program continues to lay a solid foundation for countless students, many in underserved communities, that enables them to succeed in the classroom. But because an amendment allowing employers to discriminate based on religious affiliation was included, I must oppose this bill.

"If a Head Start program is being administered by a faith-based institution, and it is receiving federal funding, it shouldn't discriminate on religious grounds when making employment decisions. We teach our children that we should be accepting of religious diversity. It is hypocritical to then turn around and not practice what we preach. I am hopeful that the Senate will act with more discretion on this issue and strip the discriminatory language."

The Head Start bill (H.R. 2123), passed the House Education and Workforce Committee by a unanimous, bipartisan vote. Because the amendment allowing religious organizations who accept federal funding to use discriminatory practices in their hiring processes was included during consideration on the House floor, H.R. 2123 passed by a highly partisan 231-184 vote.

The bill extends authorization of Head Start through 2011. It calls for approximately $6 billion in funding for Head Start programs around the country. In fiscal year 2004, Virginia's Head Start programs served over 13,000 children and received $98,142,388 in federal funding.

http://moran.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=11152