Senator Grassley Speaks Out Again on Church Ministries

The New York Times reports today that Senator Grassley, the senior republican on the Senate Finance Committee, and one known to speak out frequently on nonprofit compliance, recently spoke at Faith Baptist Bible College near Des Moines, Iowa to about 500 students.  He again targeted some televangelists for what, in his opinion, are lavish lifestyles, including high pay, perks and private jets.  He told the students that he sent letters to the ministries asking questions, and that he was awaiting their responses.  Some ministries were interviewed for the New York Times story and counter that Grassley’s questions and tone are a violation of their constitutional rights.  The article quotes “Gary McCaleb, senior counsel at the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious liberty legal group,” as saying, “From the get-go he’s acted more like an investigator and not at all like a senator on this and that’s unnerving.”  Mr. McCaleb is further quoted as saying that, “[Senator Grassley] has the right to get facts, but this has looked, felt and smelled like an enforcement action.”  See New York Times Article for full story.

amt