Civil liberties groups say they’re disappointed by a U-S Supreme Court ruling that ordinary taxpayers can’t challenge a White House initiative that helps religious charities get federal money.
Chicago Public Radio’s Jason DeRose reports.
**
Madison, Wisconsin’s Freedom from Religion Foundation objected to government conferences in which Bush administration officials encourage religious charities to apply for federal grants.
The Supreme court ruled 5 to 4 that those conferences are legal.
Adam Schwartz of the American Civil Liberties Union says the ruling was a narrow one.
It held that taxpayers CAN challenge actions authorized by congress.
SCHWARTZ: But the taxpayers cannot challenge actions that are initiated by the executive branch.
The ruling only addressed whether taxpayers can bring such challenges, not whether the faith-based program itself violates the constitution.
I’m Jason DeRose, Chicago Public Radio.