In the October Journal (see "Moratorium suspends federal intrusion on states' religious accommodations") we told of action in July by the United States House of Representatives (incorrectly described as the full Congress) temporarily to halt efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pressure states to remove laws accommodating spiritual healing for children. President Clinton signed appropriations bills containing the moratorium provision on September 30. The provision's wording as it appeared in the Congressional Record is reprinted below.
The final paragraph of our October report referred to a letter sent from The First Church of Christ, Scientist, to HHS, signed by other organizations objecting to the department's policy. While the Church's Committee on Publication Federal Office helped coordinate this sign-on letter, it was actually from and signed only by the organizations that were listed in our report. All organizations active in the coalition that drafted and shepherded into law the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act were given the opportunity to be included.
"Amendment No. 78: Reported in technical disagreement. The managers on the part of the House will offer a motion to recede and concur in the amendment of the Senate which establishes a moratorium on the withholding of funds under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act [CAPTA] from any State by the Department of Health and Human Services because a State is not deemed to be in compliance with the religious exemption regulations. The House bill included similar language on this subject. The moratorium will allow the authorizing committees time to look at all sides of this issue and hear testimony from all affected parties when Congress considers legislation to reauthorize CAPTA next year. Under the moratorium, States deemed to be out of compliance with the religious exemption portion of the regulations will continue to receive CAPTA funds.
