U.S. House passes bill opposed by church groups

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House has approved a controversial measure that would deny new federal housing funds to any nonprofit group — including churches — that have engaged in voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities. The Republican-backed provision, attached to the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act, passed the House Oct. 26 in a 331–90 vote. A host of Democrats and church-based groups said the measure was unconstitutional. A move to strip the voting-related provisions from the larger housing bill was also defeated, largely along party lines, 210–205. The bill denies money from the new Affordable Housing Fund to any group that had engaged in nonpartisan voter activities in the previous 12 months. It also prohibits any voter activity after a grant has been awarded.