Amendment to Stafford Act is Unconstitutional
Congressman Nadler rises in reluctant opposition to a bill amending the Stafford Act to allow direct funding of houses of worship following disasters. While Rep. Nadler says that the purpose of the bill is laudable, allowing taxpayer money to be used to build a religious sanctuary or an altar has consistently been held unconstitutional, in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Furthermore, because the bill was rushed to the floor only a few days after being introduced, there was no opportunity for these constitutional concerns to be addressed through the normal committee process.