It appears that the Senate version of the stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (S.336) does not include the funds for faith-based programs that were in the House version. (See prior posting.) The House version included the funding for the Capital Compassion Fund in its appropriations for Children and Family Services Programs. The appropriations in this area in the Senate bill make no mention of funds for faith-based organizations.
Also the Senate bill, in authorizing grants to state higher education agencies for "Higher Education Facilities", imposes limits on sub-grants to colleges and universities for renovation and modernization of buildings. No grant may be used for "modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities— (i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or (ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission..." The House bill contains the same limitation.
