http://www.detnews.com/2001/politics/0107/10/a05-245601.htm
By Dana Milbank / Washington Post
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is working with the nation's largest charity, the Salvation Army, to make it easier for government-funded religious groups to practice hiring discrimination against gay people, according to an internal Salvation Army document.
The White House has made a "firm commitment" to the Salvation Army to issue a regulation protecting such charities from state and city efforts to prevent discrimination against gays in hiring and domestic-partner benefits, according to the Salvation Army report. The Salvation Army, in turn, has agreed to use its clout to promote the administration's faith-based initiative, which seeks to direct more government money to religious charities.
The matter stems from a national debate spurred by an increasing number of local jurisdictions that have adopted laws requiring religious groups such as the Salvation Army to adhere to laws barring discrimination against gays in hiring, job promotion and benefits. What the administration is offering, according to the document, is a federal regulation that would forbid states and localities from barring such discrimination when administering programs with federal money.
The Salvation Army, a Christian social services organization with an extensive network of facilities for the poor, would be little affected in the short term by Bush's proposal, which would fund more religious charities that provide social services. It already receives nearly $300 million annually in government money. But the report indicates the administration is eager to use the Salvation Army's clout to pass the legislation, offering the charity something it wants in return.
"It is important that the Army's support for the White House's activities occur simultaneously with efforts to achieve the Army's objectives," said the document obtained by the Washington Post. "The White House has already said that they are committed to move on The Army's objectives when the legislation carrying the charitable choice provisions passes the House of Representatives."
The White House said Monday that the organization's claim of a "firm commitment" overstated the case. "This is an issue that was brought to our attention, but no such commitment has been made," White House spokeswoman Anne Womack said.
http://www.detnews.com/2001/politics/0107/10/a05-245601.htm
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