Washington Wire THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION COMMENCES The Presidency of George W. Bush
has commenced and the Orthodox Union, through
its Washington Office, has already been in close contact with Administration
officials working on key policies of interest to our constituency.
Two of Mr. Bush’s highest domestic priorities – expanding the
partnership between faith-based social service organizations and government,
and education reform – have been initiatives supported by the Union for many
years. Union president Harvey Blitz was one of a handful of faith
community leaders invited
to the White House just two weeks after Mr. Bush’s inauguration to meet
with the President and discuss his faith-based initiative and witness the
opening of a special White House Office that will oversee these efforts.
President Bush has also launched his drive to secure reforms to
America’s education system. His
proposals include vouchers for children trapped in failing schools and an
expansion of tax-free savings accounts for parents to invest in and then
withdraw funds from to help with education expenses – including those
associated with parochial education. IPA
director Nathan Diament has been meeting with Administration officials and key
members of Congress to discuss the details of these yet to be passed
proposals. THE 107th CONGRESS CONVENES The
50-50 Senate and nearly 50-50 House ensure that measures must receive
bipartisan support to pass through the 107th Congress.
With the Republicans still holding the reins of leadership, first
priority will be given to passing President Bush’s agenda.
With regard to the elements of high-interest to the Union, discussed
above, this will make our success more likely.
With regard to other key issues, they will take more time. Back to
the Drawing Board on Workplace Religious Freedom The chief domestic priority for the Union remains securing greater protection for the religious needs of employees in the workplace. Such protections are needed to secure the ability of employees to observe religious holidays and wear religious garb if not already allowed to do so by their employer. With the departure of the chief sponsor of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act – Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) – from the committee of jurisdiction (Health, Education & Labor), we have been approaching other key members to secure a new lead sponsor for this effort and a renewed commitment to securing its passage. We hope for success in the 107th Congress. Education
Initiatives While President Bush’s proposals will certainly frame the debate over education policy in congress, legislators will play a key role in shaping the contours of any final package. As noted above, Mr. Bush has proposed an expansion of tax-free education savings accounts and we are working with Senators Tim Hutchinson (R-AK) and Bob Torricelli (D-NJ) who are leaders of this effort as well. Another exciting initiative introduced by freshman Sen. George Allen (R-Va) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va) is a tuition tax credit proposal that could be applied directly against parochial school tuition fees. We have been discussing other proposals that would benefit our education system with other interested members of congress as well. Other
Issues in the 107th Congress Issues that have been held over from the last congress and will see action this year include the elimination of the marriage penalty from the tax code, prodding the entertainment industry to clean up its violent and sexually suggestive products, and implementing a sensible moratorium on the death penalty while questions concerning its administration are examined. We have been in contact with key offices on these issues as well. COURT DOCKET Oral Argument in the case of Good News Club v. Milford Central School will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on February 28. This case originates in New York and deals with New York State’s policy that allows local school districts to make their facilities available for after-hours use to social and civic groups but not to religious groups for religious uses. Thus, if a congregation wanted to rent a public school gym to use for prayer services on a weekend, it could be refused by the local school officials. This policy is being challenged by a Christian youth group that sought to use school facilities for an after-school club that would include readings from the Bible and some short prayers. The district court and U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against the club and the Supreme Court took the case for this term. The Union has jointly filed an amicus brief with the Christian Legal Society. In
an important state court development, an Illinois appellate court ruled
earlier this month that a state tuition tax credit which could be applied to
parochial school expenses was constitutional.
We expect this ruling to be appealed to Illinois’ highest court in
short order. CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE This
year’s class of IPA Washington Interns is beginning to come into shape. The application deadline was February 15 and we are now in
the process of conducting interviews. We
expect another strong group of interns who will serve in various Congressional
and public policy offices in Washington.
With the new Congress and Administration the program is likely to take
on a bit of a different flavor and the group will be meeting some new and
different figures in Washington. We
look forward to welcoming this year’s interns to Washington in early June.
For further information on the program please visit our website at www.ou.org/public/interns/
or contact IPA Associate Director Josh Sussman at 202-857-2770. LIEBERMAN SCHOLARS UPDATE Our
first class of Lieberman Scholars continues to engage in exciting Jewish
public policy opportunities.
In March, they will attend AIPAC’s annual Policy Conference where
they will receive an in depth exposure to the world of pro-Israel advocacy and
have the opportunity to hear from senior American political officials as well
as newly elected Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
For additional information on the program please see our website at http://ou.org/NCSY/projects/lieb00.htm
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