Oppose Federally Funded Religious Discrimination in the Head Start Program
May 24, 2005
THE ISSUE AT HAND
Rep. Boehner (R-OH), Chairman of the Workforce Committee, has
stated that he plans to offer an amendment to the Head Start
reauthorization bill (H.R. 2123) when it is debated on the House
floor. The proposed amendment would remove many of the civil rights
protections currently found in the Head Start program, and it would
allow religious organizations involved in Head Start to make hiring
decisions based on religion. If the amendment becomes part of the
final bill, faith-based organizations would also be able to fire
current teachers based on their religion and prohibit parent volunteers
from participating in their children’s education because of religious differences.
ACTION NEEDED
While it is important for all Representatives to hear from their
constituents on this issue, it is especially important for Republican
members to hear that you oppose federally funded religious discrimination
in the Head Start program, as this will probably be a party-line vote.
You may contact your Representative by calling the Capitol Switchboard
at 202-224-3121. If you would like to send an e-mail or fax, please refer
to the letter posted on Congress Web
Sample Phone Script
As a constituent and member of the National Association of Social Workers,
I am calling to request that Representative ______ oppose any amendment to
the Head Start reauthorization bill that would authorize unconstitutional
religious discrimination. Thank you.
BACKGROUND
NASW appreciates the effort made by both Republican and Democratic Members of
Congress to draft a bipartisan Head Start reauthorization bill. This bill was
passed out of the House Education and the Workforce Committee by a unanimous
vote on May 18. The bill itself will most likely receive widespread support
when it is brought to the House floor for a vote, however, the proposed amendment
by Rep. Boehner will cause a divide. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions Committee is scheduled to begin consideration of the Senate’s version
of the bill on May 25.
For more information, please contact Ann Bradford Vaughan, NASW senior
government relations associate, at avaughan@naswdc.org or (202) 336-8237.
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