Today, the House passed H.R. 5129, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Modernization Act of 2022. This flawed legislation attacks religious freedom, limits resources for those most in need, and uses taxpayer dollars irresponsibly.
Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said on the House floor prior to the vote:
“Republicans support commonsense efforts to fight poverty and provide a safety net for Americans truly in need. We want to make our nation’s anti-poverty programs the best they can be, a streamlined network that specifically focuses on aiding those in dire need and helps lift them out of poverty. But that’s not what we have here.
“H.R. 5129 fails to reform CSBG. In fact, the program widely expands the pool of eligible beneficiaries leaving those most in need with fewer resources.
“It goes along with other programs that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the Biden administration keep proposing and that is to put more people in dependency in this country—not make them independent.
“It also attacks religious liberty. I believe my colleagues have basically admitted that in the last few minutes. Over 19,000 vital faith-based organizations work tirelessly to help their communities through the CSBG program. Yet H.R. 5129 sets a terrible and destructive precedent. Preventing faith-based organizations from competing for grants while remaining true to their religious character means fewer low-income Americans will receive the help they need.
“This legislation is another Washington-knows-best approach that will keep Americans dependent on hardworking taxpayer dollars.”
