Mary Landrieu bill bans some religion-based fund cuts

By The Associated Press 
on July 11, 2013 at 3:37 PM

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has introduced a bill to forbid the federal government from withholding money from programs whose participants engage in voluntary religious activity.

Landrieu introduced the Freedom to Pray act Thursday. The Louisiana Democrat has been working on it for a year since learning from a constituent that the Young Marines program in Bossier Parish might lose federal money “because of voluntary prayer and the mention of God in the program,” according to a news release from her office.

The Young Marines of the Marine Corps League describes itself as a youth education and service program for boys and girls from 8 years old through high school, focusing on character building, leadership, and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, according to its national website. It’s the focus of the U.S. Marine Corps’ anti-drug program, it said.

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