House Vote: Head Start Reauthorization
Summary: Allows religious organizations that participate in Head Start the right to take religion into account in staffing decisions
Result: Motion Failed
A vote against the motion was counted as a + vote (in line with LCCR's position)
View individual member votes on this bill by state:
Bill Name: Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007
Bill Number: H.R. 1429
Issue: Education
Date: 05/02/07
Roll Call No. 284
In May 2007, Rep. McKeon, R. Calif., filed a motion to recommit the Head Start reauthorization bill with instructions to amend the bill to allow religious organizations that participate in Head Start the right to take religion into account in staffing decisions.
Religious organizations already have an exemption under Title VII to discriminate based on religion when using private funds; however, they cannot do so for jobs being paid for with government money.
LCCR strongly supports Head Start but opposed the motion because we believe that federal funds can never be used to discriminate against anyone based on religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
The amendment could open the door to federally-funded discrimination, as well as go so far as to allow religious providers of Head Start programs to bar participation by parent volunteers of different faith than the provider.
Head Start is an effective program that has enjoyed widespread bipartisan support, and this type of ideologically driven amendment would have divided Congress and threatened the viability of the program. Even the largest association of Head Start providers opposed reauthorization of the program if the amendment was included.
Result: The House rejected the motion (195-222).
