Among their legislative priorities is the Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act -- better known as "CARE." The bill seeks to encourage charitable giving through tax incentives, a move that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) said represents part of the President's faith-based program. The CARE Act would also supply $150 million annually to provide technical assistance to small community and faith-based organizations to help expand their capacity to serve.

The legislation proposed Monday also includes an additional $1.3 billion in funding for Social Services Block Grants, which had been stripped from the bill during the last session of Congress. That change ultimately played a part in the legislation's failure to pass.

The Republican list also calls for reauthorization of the 1996 welfare reform law, including $300 million annually for healthy marriage programs for counseling, education and research. Another $75 million is allocated yearly for programs that promote responsible fatherhood. Faith-based groups are expected to be among the service providers of these programs.

For more information:
Original Care Act
Also check out OMB Watch's Charitable Giving page

Posted by Jennifer Lowe, 04:52:45 PM

Friday, January 21, 2005