Bush's faith-based initiative in peril

WASHINGTON-Running out of time and options, the legislative materialization of President George W. Bush’s faith-based initiative may be swept under the carpet for the 107th congressional session. The Charity, Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE Act), which includes provisions promoting Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), may not get passed this year, according to reports from Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper. Apparently, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) had promised the president the legislation would go through, but with other high priority items, like the Department of Homeland Security and passing 10 more appropriations bills, and midterm elections drawing near, precious floor time is eroding quickly. The bill was co-sponsored by Senators Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), each trying to spin their own party’s reason for the failure to move on it. In lockstep with the America’s Republican leadership, NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar introduced his own faith-based initiative for credit unions.