Statement of of Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy: On the Senate HELP Committee Rejecting Religious Discrimination in the Head Start Program

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Washington, DC – Today Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of The Interfaith Alliance, praised the Senate Health, Education and Pensions Committee for reauthorizing the Head Start program without sanctioning religious discrimination:

 

Congratulations to the Senate HELP Committee for finally acting responsibly on Head Start. After years of attempts to politicize Head Start by allowing providers to commit religious discrimination in choosing teachers and volunteers, the Senate finally reauthorized the program without the language that would allow this unconstitutional practice.  The current bill, S. 556, is a very positive step forward towards safeguarding this vital and successful government program.  We cannot allow tax-payer dollars to subsidize Head Start providers that refuse to hire teachers and volunteers solely because they are of a different faith tradition.

 

The Interfaith Alliance calls on the full Senate and the House to follow the example set by the Senate HELP Committee.  The uplifting opportunities that Head Start provides should be made available to all eligible families, regardless of their religious affiliation.


Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.