Catholic Charities USA Applauds Two Key Provisions in Faith-Based Compromise Legislation

Catholic Charities USA
Friday, 8 February 2002

In a letter to President Bush, Catholic Charities USA welcomed two key provisions in the Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act of 2002 that will both encourage private giving to charities and provide additional government resources to faith- and community-based organizations that serve the poor.

"A combination of factors, including the recent downturn in the economy and the economic and emotional fallout from the terrorist attacks, has left many of our 1,400 member agencies and institutions less able to meet the growing needs in their communities," wrote Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities USA the letter. "Two provisions in the CARE Act would be especially helpful to local Catholic Charities agencies and the communities they serve."

The bill will help spur additional giving to charities by allowing non-itemizers to claim charitable deductions on their taxes, thereby making the tax code fairer for the majority of these individuals and families, many of who are members of low-income households. The legislation also will provide additional, guaranteed funding for the Social Services Block Grant without corresponding reductions to other critical programs that serve the poor.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Charities USA, see their website at: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org