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CARE Act of 2003

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 30, 2003

Charity Aid, Recovery, and Empowerment Act of 2003 or the CARE Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to charitable giving, charitable organizations, and social services to, among other things: (1) allow a deduction for a portion of charitable contributions to individuals who do not itemize; (2) allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes; (3) allow for the exclusion of 25 percent of gain on sales or exchanges of land or water interests to eligible entities for conservation purposes; (4) exclude mileage reimbursements to charitable volunteers from gross income; (5) increase oversight of tax-exempt organizations; (6) suspend the tax-exempt status of terrorist organizations; (7) modify the excise tax on unrelated business taxable income of charitable remainder trusts; (8) repeal the grassroots expenditure limit for charitable organizations; (9) modify the definition of convention or association of churches to state that no such grouping shall fail to qualify merely because individuals are members or because individuals have voting rights in such organization; (10) count certain payments made by charitable organizations to victims in the war against terrorism as related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for such organizations' exemptions; (11) restore funds for the Social Services Block Grant; (12) restore authority to transfer up to ten percent of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds to the Social Services Block Grant.Savings for Working Families Act of 2003 - States as a purpose of this Act to provide for the establishment of individual development account programs that will provide individuals and families with limited means an opportunity to accumulate assets and to enter the financial mainstream. Provides procedures for opening and maintaining such an account and qualifying for matching funds.Authorizes appropriations for the: (1) Savings for Working Families Act of 2003; and (2) administration of exempt organizations by the Internal Revenue Service.Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to and enter into cooperative agreements to support nonprofit community-based organizations. Authorizes appropriations.Prohibits requiring a nongovernmental social service organization to: (1) remove religious art, icons, or scripture; (2) alter its charter; or (3) alter religious qualifications for board membership.Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to provide for maternity group homes and evaluation of such homes.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · R–PA

Committees

  • Finance Committee
22 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1835-1836)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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