Supreme Court upholds faith-based initiative funds

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 25 that taxpayers affiliated with an atheist group do not have standing to challenge the Bush administration initiative channeling federal funds to religious groups providing social services. Overturning a federal appeals court decision, the justices gave the head of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives a 5–4 victory in a closely watched ruling.

The case, Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, focused on the use of taxpayer money to fund faith-based offices and related conferences across the executive branch. Foundation members said that policy violated the First Amendment’s prohibition of “establishment” of religion, but the White House office argued the case was “intrusive” on the executive branch.

In a statement, President Bush said the decision “is a win for the thousands of community and faith-based nonprofits all across the country that have partnered with government at all levels to serve their neighbors.”