Controversy is the constant companion of the newly enacted welfare reform law.
Debate is raging not only over the new law's impact on the poor but also about its effect on the wall separating church and state. A provision of the law would permit federal funds to go to pervasively sectarian organizations, as well as to religiously affiliated welfare providers. Any attempt by government to provide tax dollars to pervasively sectarian religious organizations is plainly unconstitutional, even if designated for secular purposes. Money is interchangeable and secular functions cannot easily be separated from sacred activities. The Supreme Court has rightly held that such financial aid runs afoul of the Establishment Clause.