Senate Refuses to Remove Discriminatory Language

The powers that be are cramming the so-called "stimulus" package through so quickly, and there is so much detail buried within it, that Americans and institutions concerned about what's being proposed and passed ... hardly have time to read it before the vote!

In a very disheartening alert message just posted by Jay Sekulow (general counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice) on the ACLJ website, Jay wrote:

I want to let you know about an important - and disappointing - vote that's just occured in the U.S. Senate.

As you know, we supported an amendment put forward by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) that would have invalidated language included in the stimulus measure that prohibits higher education facilities that accept federal stimulus funds from permitting religious groups and organizations from using those facilities.

Tonight, the amendment failed. Here's the final vote: 43 Senators voted in support of the amendment - 54 against. That means that the discriminatory language remains in the stimulus bill.

For a breakdown of the Senate vote, click here.

This is a very disappointing development. What’s most troubling is the fact that a majority of the Senate supports a discriminatory provision that prohibits religious activity from taking place in college and university facilities nationwide that take federal stimulus funds. If this language remains in the stimulus package that’s ultimately approved by Congress, we will challenge this provision in federal court by filing suit. This provision has nothing to do with economic stimulus and everything to do with religious discrimination.

To read the second half of the alert, click here.