Read the text of comments to the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding regulations funding religious organizations under the VA Homeless Provider and Per Diem Program. October 30, 2003 Director, Regulations Management (00REG1) Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave. N.W., Room 1068 Washington, D.C. 20420 Re: RIN 2900-9026, Proposed Rule, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program: Religious Organizations Dear Sir or Madam,

The federal government is now requiring applicants for federal funding to have a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A new toll-free number to call and have a DUNS number assigned to organizations was announced last week- 1-866-705-5711. Remember: You do NOT have to purchase credit services from Dun and Bradstreet to get a DUNS number. If they try to sell you these services, please let us know.

Senate Committee ignores the House's version of the Workforce Investment Act and passes its own version. The House’s Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act gives approval to faith-based charities to discriminate based on religious affiliation when hiring staff for federal job training programs. The bill, H.R. 1261 removes Title VII language of the Civil Rights Act to allow religious discrimination in hiring for federal job-training programs. If H.R. 1261 becomes law it will be an unprecedented repeal of civil rights laws.

In late September the Bush administration announced a series of new and proposed regulations that implement its “charitable choice” policies for six agencies. A summary and links are provided below: Final Rules: Effective October 30, 2003 Agency Programs Health and Human Services Community Services Block Grant *Training, Technical Assistancd and Capacity Building Program *Community Food and Nutrition Program *National Youth Sports Porgarm *Discretionary Grants for economic development, rural community development and neighborhod innovation