The Candidates on Faith-Based Initiatives
|
 |
John McCain |
McCain says the faith-based initiative is "one of the more successful parts of the Bush Administration and I would continue it." In 2003, he voted for a bill that was a watered-down version of changes sought by President Bush to make it easier for religious groups to compete for federal grants. The bill never became law. He says groups receiving federal funding should be able to take religion into account in hiring. |
|
 |
Barack Obama |
In a July 2008 speech, Obama announced a plan to establish a Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. It would expand upon President Bush's faith-based initiative, primarily by allocating $500 million per year for summer learning camps that would aim to narrow the achievement gap between poor and wealthy students. Under Obama's plan, groups receiving federal funding would not be allowed to take religion into account in hiring. |
|