President George Bush yesterday announced his intention to integrate religious charitable organisations into the federally financed social security system.
Critics warned that the move may violate the US constitutional separation of church and state.
Mr Bush told representatives of some 30 faith-based groups, reflecting Christian, Jewish, and Muslim values, that they should be allowed to tender against other organisations for federal funds to help with programmes on drug and alcohol rehabilitation, prison ministries, homelessness, gang violence or after-school care.
He made clear that the government would not fund religious instruction but wanted to support their social service work "in a manner that does not cause them to sacrifice their mission". Mr Bush said they were "people who lead with their hearts" and made a huge contribution to the fabric of American life.
The President will send details of the proposals to Congress today, insisting that Democratic support for experimental programmes means the issue should not be one of principle.
White House aides said the appointment of a Pennsylvanian political scientist, Prof John Dilulio, to head a new White House Office for Faith and Community-Based Initiatives was a sign that the administration wants a results-based approach to funding and is not ideologically driven. The programmes, Mr Bush said, were not intended to replace the work of federal government but to complement it.
Some Democrats fear the proposals attempt to erode fundamental aspects of the state's responsibilities in welfare, substituting charity for entitlements.
Meanwhile, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr Patrick Leahy, has announced his intention to vote against Mr Bush's controversial nominee for Attorney General, Mr John Ashcroft. His announcement is seen as a sign that Mr Ashcroft will almost certainly now be opposed by a majority of Democrats, but not enough to defeat the nomination. The vote is expected on Thursday.
The nominee for Interior Secretary, Ms Gale Norton, debated on the floor of the Senate yesterday, is expected to win very strong approval today.
