WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Senate defeated 54-43 an amendment to the economic stimulus bill Feb. 5 that would have allowed federal funding for renovations at college buildings that are used for religious activity.
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., proposed the amendment after voicing criticism of a stimulus provision that says funds for colleges and universities could not be used for modernization or renovation of buildings where “sectarian instruction” or “religious worship” occur.
Church-state groups welcomed the vote. “The Senate has voted to reaffirm an important American principle — that religious groups should pay their own way and not expect funding from the taxpayer,” said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Conservative Christian groups objected. Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice said the provision “has nothing to do with economic stimulus and everything to do with religious discrimination.”