IN THE CAPITAL.

Charitable Choice `Avalanche' Moving In Congress

Five separate bills with "charitable choice" provisions that entangle church and state are moving in Congress this session.

"It's an avalanche," said Julie Segal, Americans United's legislative counsel. She encouraged all AU members to contact their senators and representatives to voice opposition to measures that would inappropriately give tax funding to religious groups to supply social services.

In the Senate, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Reauthorization Act will be considered. Similarly, the Senate's Judiciary Committee is weighing juvenile justice legislation that includes charitable choice provisions.

The Senate may also take up a bill, known as the Charitable Choice Expansion Act, that would allow tax aid to religious groups across a spectrum of programs. The measure is being pushed by Sen. John Ashcroft (R-Mo.).

The House is considering some legislation of its own that features charitable choice, including the American Community Renewal Act and the Older Americans Act, the latter of which is also being considered in the Senate.

AU's Segal noted that members can keep up to date on the progress of these bills and other church-state legislation by visiting AU's website (www.au.org).

Supreme Court Skips Hare Krishna Soliciting Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand a lower court ruling that restricts Hare Krishnas from soliciting donations and selling their materials at Miami International Airport.

On Feb. 22, the Court dismissed without comment ISKCON Miami v. Metropolitan Dade County. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness had argued that the restrictions on selling religious materials in the airport's terminals violated the First Amendment free speech fights of the group, an American offshoot of Hinduism.

The ruling is consistent with a 1992 Supreme Court decision that said airports can forbid solicitations but may not prohibit distribution of free literature. Attorneys for the religious group argued that the 1992 ruling should be revisited in light of the increasing commercialization of airport terminals.

House Exempts Amish Children From Labor Laws

The House of Representatives has created an exemption in federal child-labor laws to allow Amish teenagers to work in sawmills.

The new law makes it legal for Amish teenagers to work limited hours in woodworking settings, so long as they do not directly operate mechanical equipment. H.R. 221 passed the House March 2 and was sent to the Senate for consideration.

Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.), the bill's chief sponsor, said the measure recognizes the Amish tradition of apprenticeship.

"The Amish view this work as part of their schooling," Pitts said. "The regulations have severely threatened the lifestyle and religion of this humble community."

The bill was not without opponents. Rep. William Clay (D-Mo.) said that the "inexperience, small size and lack of maturity" Of minors makes the religious exemption potentially dangerous.