Yesterday the House Education and Labor Committee approved Head Start reauthorization legislation, HR1429. Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuno (R-PR) offered an amendment that would have allowed faith-based organizations to hire teachers on the basis of religion. According to CQ, ($$) this issue was the main point of contention during the five hour long markup hearing. Supporters of the amendment said the religious hiring would help increase faith-based groups participation in the Head Start program. This same proposal was included in last year's Head Start reauthorization bill. The Fortuno amendment was defeated on a 26-19 party line vote, but some may try to add the faith-based hiring language during floor debate which may occur before the recess in April. Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) commentated during the markup; "religious organizations are free to make hiring decisions using religious criteria with programs using their own money. But when you take federal money, there are strings attached."