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WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2001

The House today will begin consideration of a bill that implements President Bush's controversial faith-based initiative.

Bush's proposal, announced his first week in office, has come under fire by religious groups, liberals and constitutional scholars. As a result, it has been scaled down to appease lawmakers who say they won't support it unless a number of changes are made.

Some lawmakers worry that the initiative will allow religious groups to discriminate using federal funds. The issue sparked last week when it was reported the Salvation Army, in exchange for promoting the initiative, asked the White House for an exemption from laws prohibiting discrimination against gays

Democrats are calling for an inquiry into the matter. The White House rejected the request last week once the story broke.

Get the Story:
House to Take Up Faith Initiative (The Washington Post 7/18)
Bush allies predict House victory for religious charity bill (AP 7/17)
Democrats Stand on Both Sides of Faith Bill (The New York Times 7/18)
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