Bill To Protect Tithing In Chapter 13 Bankruptcies Passes Congress

A press release from the office of U.S. Senator Barak Obama reports that the House of Representatives yesterday passed the Obama-Hatch Tithing Bill, S. 4044. The bill protects an individual's right to continue reasonable charitable contributions, including religious tithing, while going through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceeding. Already passed by the United States Senate, the bill will now be sent to the President for his signature. The bill reverses the holding in a recent case that prevented the inclusion of tithes to a church or other charitable donations as "reasonably necessary" expenses for debtors in Chapter 13 who have incomes above their state's median.