GOP House set to loosen rules for churches to thwart election laws...

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/politics/08church.html?pagewanted=print&position=

June 8, 2004

A Bill Eases Vote Curb on Churches

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

Republicans in the House of Representatives have quietly introduced a measure to make it easier for churches to support political candidates, just days after the Bush campaign came under fire from liberal groups for inviting church members to distribute campaign information at their houses of worship.

Representative Bill Thomas of California, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, added the measure to a much larger bill, introduced in the committee on Friday, that centers on revising certain corporate taxes. The provision, called Safe Harbor for Churches, would allow religious organizations a limited number of violations of the existing rules against political endorsements without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

<>The Safe Harbor for Churches provision is less sweeping than previous proposals to change the rules. It would greatly reduce the tax penalties for either one or two deliberate political endorsements in a calendar year and would also allow a church to make as many as three "unintentional" political endorsements in a calendar year without penalty. It does not define "unintentional.''

"Our impression is this means you get three sins with no penance," said Mr. Maffei, of the Ways and Means minority staff. "That means you can take the last three Sundays before the election and pass out a voter card and still retain your tax status as a church."

more... very troubling, but what do you expect from the Rethugs running the House

[Demeter]

1. Where's the Supreme Court When You Need IT?

Oh, that's right, in the pockets of the GOP.

[demnan]

2. Bill Thomas is an evil dredge from hell

He's mean and spiteful and everyone in his office is a dick!

He's about as far from being a genuine Christian than anyone I know!

[MallRat]

3. Hopefully, a handful of GOP Senators will put an end to this.

This is despicable. The Republicans are CONDONING LAWLESSNESS. They are weakening law enforcement.

GOP: WEAK ON CRIME.

-MR

[donhakman]

5. hmm

OK but then a religious campaign headquarters should then be taxed.

[Cheswick2.0]

4. I guess Liberal churches can do the same

but since most of them are busy doing God's work in their communities, I don't see that happening.