Clinton Restricts New `Charitable Choice' Law.Churches may not get tax dollars through a recently passed federal social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales bill after all. President Bill Clinton in October signed legislation that renews funding for the Community Services Block Grants The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides U.S. federal funding for Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other programs that seek to address poverty at the community level. (CSBG CSBG Community Services Block Grant ) program but at the same time took steps to limit spending the money with churches. The measure includes a "charitable choice Charitable choice refers to direct government funding of religious organizations to provide social services. Created in 1996, charitable choice allows government officials to purchase services from religious providers using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), " provision sponsored by Sen. John Ashcroft John David Ashcroft (born May 9 1942) is an American politician who was the 79th United States Attorney General. He served during the first term of President George W. Bush from 2001 until 2005. Ashcroft was previously the Governor of Missouri (1985 – 1993) and a U.S. (R-Mo.) that allows churches and other religiously affiliated ministries to contract with the government to handle the more than $500 million in CSBG funds. However, when Clinton signed S. 2206 into law, he clarified that his administration considers it unconstitutional for the government to finance "pervasively sectarian" organizations such as churches. He said officials will consider the "structure and operations" of religious organizations to determine their eligibility. The statement was significant for those concerned with church-state separation because it draws necessary constitutional lines regarding the use of tax aid by religious groups. |
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