Religious groups that discriminate in hiring may still receive federal funding, as Bush declared in 2002. Democrats and civil libertarians are dismayed.
- —President Obama, shown at the National Prayer Breakfast, let stand a Bush executive order that religious organizations may discriminate on the basis of faith and still receive federal funding.
Reporting from Los Angeles and Washington — It seemed like a firm campaign promise. Barack Obama pledged to continue President Bush’s faith-based office in the White House, but with a key change: Groups receiving federal money would no longer be allowed to discriminate in hiring on the basis of religion.
On Thursday, however, as President Obama disclosed the details of his faith-based program, he left the controversial Bush policy in place.
The decision angered Democrats and civil libertarians who thought Obama had agreed with their view that Bush’s 2002 executive order went too far.
“Based on what he said, we thought the issue had been resolved,” said Rep. Robert C. Scott (D-Va.).
“You’ll have to ask them why they think it’s all right to discriminate,” Scott said. He added that administration officials are “either offended by the idea of discrimination, or they’re not.”
But Thursday’s announcement surprised and pleased some religious leaders, particularly religious conservatives, who had a strong ally in Bush and had been pressing the Democratic president to revoke his earlier promise.
“I’m very excited about this,” said Frank Page, past president of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of more than two dozen religious leaders named Thursday to a new White House council that will advise Obama on faith-based issues. “I know he was struggling with this particular issue. But this will allow religious groups to be true to themselves.”
Obama announced that White House officials might seek guidance from the Justice Department if questions arise about the legality of potential grant recipients.
In essence, the executive order, which did not specifically mention discrimination, gives the White House the option to review a specific grant for legal reasons but does not overturn Bush’s broader policy.
Administration officials rejected the notion that Obama was backtracking on a campaign promise.
