IN THE CAPITAL.

Religious Liberty Bill Passes House Of Representatives

The Religious Liberty Protection Act (RLPA) passed the U.S. House of Representatives July 15, enjoying broad bipartisan support in a 306-118 victory.

Sponsored by Rep. Charles Canady (R-Fla.), RLPA is Congress' attempt to reinstate the religious liberty safeguards jeopardized by a 1990 Supreme Court decision. The legislation has the support of a broad coalition of groups from across the ideological spectrum, including Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

RLPA requires the government to show a "compelling interest," such as health or safety, before infringing on free exercise. The legislation also says that the government must act in the "least restrictive" manner when dealing with limiting religious exercise.

Despite its broad backing, the bill still sparked significant controversy. Some groups contend that RLPA may elevate religious freedom at the expense of civil rights protections.

Responding to those concerns, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) proposed an amendment that would have addressed the civil rights issue. Nadler's measure, however, was defeated 234-190.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where efforts to alter the bill, and perhaps extend more protections for civil rights, will continue.

Ten Commandments, Other Riders Head For Conference

The fate of a Ten Commandments proposal and other controversial church-state riders added to a juvenile justice bill in June by the House of Representatives is now in the hands of a House-Senate conference committee.

Amendments to the House version of the bill, including a charitable choice provision and a measure to allow the Ten Commandments to be posted in schools, are unconstitutional, according to many legal experts. The Senate version of the legislation differs from the House plan, so a conference committee will work out a compromise between the two.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is serving as chairman of the conference committee. According to the Aug. 6 Washington Times, Hatch said the House's cultural provisions will probably end up in the compromise version.

This statement comes after nine Senate Republicans, including Sens. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), Don Nickles (R-Okla.) and Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) wrote to Hatch asking that the Senate accept the House's Ten Commandments provision.

"This won't solve all of our problems," the senators observed. However, they said posting of the Commandments in schools would be "reinforcement that it is not OK to kill people or lie or steal."

If the controversial additions to the juvenile justice bill are kept, a White House veto becomes a stronger possibility. During the congressional recess that lasts until Labor Day, wrangling over the bill's specifics will continue.