c. 2008 Religion News Service

WASHINGTON _ Americans voted to put a Democrat in the White House on Tuesday (Nov. 4) and also strengthened his party’s hand in Congress, giving Democrats complete control of the branches of government for the first time since 1993.

Just how much will the party’s agenda change the political landscape on hot-button social concerns? What actions are expected by advocates on both sides of these issues? Here’s an early look:

IMMIGRATION

In 2006, illegal immigration made headlines when Congress tried, and failed, to pass comprehensive reform policies. Many Republicans were against plans that put those who entered the country illegally on a path to citizenship. Both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain supported legislation that would have offered a way for some of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to achieve citizenship.

Rachel Laser, who directs the culture program at the Washington-based progressive group Third Way, said comprehensive immigration reform is going to be a tough issue for Obama, even with a Democratic Congress.

“I don’t think it’ll happen early in his agenda,” Laser said.

But Brian Darling, director for Senate relations at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, disagreed.

“The expectation is this is an issue that will come up early in the Obama administration,” Darling said, pointing out that both Obama and McCain have shown a willingness to act on immigration reform.

Sally Steenland, a senior policy adviser to the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, warned that immigration is “an issue that’s going to have to be tackled in the next administration.”

GAY MARRIAGE

Democrats are widely seen as sympathetic to the gay rights cause, but gay marriage bans that passed Tuesday in California, Florida and Arizona are likely to put the ice on the push for same-sex marriage in the short term, at least in the courts.

One issue to watch will be the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed in 1996 by President Clinton, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman on the federal level, and mandates that no state will be forced to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in another state. Repealing DOMA is a top priority for gay groups, and Obama has indicated he would support its repeal.

Some gay groups also have their sights set on introducing same-sex marriage for the District of Columbia, which is supported by the mayor and most of the City Council. Congress could, however, step in to overrule that step, if it happens. Many see Washington as a test case in the Democrats’ support of same-sex marriage _ and Republicans’ ability to stop it.

STEM CELL RESEARCH

Democratic members could open Congress next year with efforts to approve federal money for embryonic stem cell research, a measure blocked by President Bush in 2001.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, presiding over an expanded Democratic caucus, indicated as much when she told reporters Wednesday that “the stem cell research legislation to increase research and (funding for) embryonic stem cell research” will be at the top of the party agenda.

Laser said the issue will have to be dealt with delicately. “There’s just such fear in American society on this one,” Laser said. Some religious groups argue embryonic stem cell research is an issue involving human life and they fear the possibility of cloning.

Darling agreed that some conservatives believe the stem cell issue is about the use of human lives for economic gain. But Steenland said she wasn’t certain if stem cell research was still a hot-button issue.

“I think we’ll see some barriers to embryonic stem research dropping, and I think that’s good news for Americans with family members who have degenerative diseases,” Steenland said.

ABORTION

Steenland said the Democrats were clear in their platform at the Denver convention about their desire to reduce the number of abortions. “They’re wanting a common sense, common ground, practical way to actually do something about it,” she said.

“Obama has made a commitment to a dual track agenda _ both protecting the right to choose while simultaneously reducing abortions in America,” Laser said. The key for reducing abortions will be both preventing unwanted pregnancies and supporting pregnant women, she said.

Darling said he believes the Democratic majority will be “chipping away” at barriers to abortion, embryonic stem cell research and similar initiatives.

FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES

Obama has said federal funding for religious-based organizations will be a key part of his plan to help the needy. He’s also said that he plans to keep President Bush’s White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

“I think he’s made it clear he does want to keep it,” Laser said of the faith-based office. Added Darling, “He’s actually been criticized by many on the left for saying he will keep it.”

Tom Minnery, senior vice president of public policy at the conservative Focus on the Family organization, said the key issue is whether or not faith-based organizations getting the funding will be allowed to limit hiring to people of the same religion without fear of equal opportunity issues. Obama has already indicated he would like to change rules that allow faith-based groups to discriminate in hiring when using federal funds.

JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS

Minnery said there is concern about nominees to the federal judiciary under the new administration. “We’re fearful that Obama will nominate federal judges that will be extreme leftists,” Minnery said.

Conservatives have pushed for years to establish a solid anti-abortion majority on the high court. And observers expect as many as three current justices to retire in Obama’s first term, although most are expected to come from the court’s small liberal wing.

“There will be a stark contrast in the nominees by Obama and those by President Bush and a stark difference in judicial policy overall,” Darling said.

“It’s inevitable that there will be some controversy … and a regression to culture wars,” Laser added.

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING

The so-called Mexico City Policy, requiring all non-governmental organizations that receive federal money to refrain from performing or promoting abortion services overseas, was implemented by President Reagan in 1984. As one of his first acts, President Clinton rescinded the policy in 1993. President Bush restored it early in 2001.

Laser said she was uncertain whether Obama would do away with the policy yet again after he moves into the Oval Office.

“I think there will be a huge push from women to repeal it,” Laser said. “When you peel back the layers, the essence of it is supporting family planning in Third World countries.”

Darling predicted Obama would follow Clinton’s example and roll back the policy.

Minnery agreed. “We believe he will end that policy, and we’ll try to fight that as best we can,” he said.

KRE/PH END BAIN