Washington (CNN) The House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment on Wednesday that, if implemented, would allow adoption agencies to refuse gay couples based on their moral or religious beliefs.

to decline to "provide a service that conflicts with its sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions," according to the congressman. The amendment , which was introduced by GOP Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama, would allow child welfare providersto decline to "provide a service that conflicts with its sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions," according to the congressman.

Because of this provision, the amendment would allow more religious organizations, such as Catholic Charities and Bethany Christian Services -- examples Aderholt provided -- to operate child welfare agencies.

"The reason for this is simply because these organizations, based on religious conviction, choose not to place children with same-sex couples," he said in a statement.

He continued: "The amendment I introduced seeks to prevent these (state) governments from discriminating against child welfare providers on the basis that the provider declines to provide a service that conflicts with its sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions," he said in a statement.

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