Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Newdow v. United States Congress is inconsistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the first amendment and should be overturned, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-hres-132
Sponsor: Rep. Ose, Doug [R-CA-3]
Introduced: 2003-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advice and consent of the Senate
Allegiance
Appellate courts
California
Church and state
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional tributes
Constitutional law
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Flags
Judges
Judicial opinions
Judicial review
Law
Oaths
Patriotism
Presidential appointments
Religion
Religion in the public schools
Religious liberty
School districts
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the phrase "one Nation, under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag reflects that religious faith was central to the Founding Fathers and to the founding of the Nation; (2) reciting the Pledge, including that phrase, is a patriotic act, not an act or statement of religious faith or belief; (3) that phrase should remain in the Pledge and the practice of voluntarily reciting the pledge in public school classrooms should be encouraged by the policies of Congress, the various States, municipalities, and public school officials; and (4) the Elk Grove Unified School District in Elk Grove, California, should be commended for its continued support of the Pledge.
Declares that: (1) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Newdow v. United States Congress (which held that the inclusion of that phrase in the Pledge unconstitutionally endorses religion) is inconsistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment; (2) the Attorney General should appeal, and the Supreme Court should review, that ruling; and (3) the President should nominate, and the Senate should confirm, Federal circuit court judges who interpret the Constitution consistent with the Constitution's text.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced in the House on March 6, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the phrase "one Nation, under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag reflects that religious faith was central to the Founding Fathers and to the founding of the Nation; (2) reciting the Pledge, including that phrase, is a patriotic act, not an act or statement of religious faith or belief; (3) that phrase should remain in the Pledge and the practice of voluntarily reciting the pledge in public school classrooms should be encouraged by the policies of Congress, the various States, municipalities, and public school officials; and (4) the Elk Grove Unified School District in Elk Grove, California, should be commended for its continued support of the Pledge.
Declares that: (1) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Newdow v. United States Congress (which held that the inclusion of that phrase in the Pledge unconstitutionally endorses religion) is inconsistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment; (2) the Attorney General should appeal, and the Supreme Court should review, that ruling; and (3) the President should nominate, and the Senate should confirm, Federal circuit court judges who interpret the Constitution consistent with the Constitution's text.
action_date: 2003-03-20
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced in the House on March 6, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the phrase "one Nation, under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag reflects that religious faith was central to the Founding Fathers and to the founding of the Nation; (2) reciting the Pledge, including that phrase, is a patriotic act, not an act or statement of religious faith or belief; (3) that phrase should remain in the Pledge and the practice of voluntarily reciting the pledge in public school classrooms should be encouraged by the policies of Congress, the various States, municipalities, and public school officials; and (4) the Elk Grove Unified School District in Elk Grove, California, should be commended for its continued support of the Pledge.
Declares that: (1) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Newdow v. United States Congress (which held that the inclusion of that phrase in the Pledge unconstitutionally endorses religion) is inconsistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment; (2) the Attorney General should appeal, and the Supreme Court should review, that ruling; and (3) the President should nominate, and the Senate should confirm, Federal circuit court judges who interpret the Constitution consistent with the Constitution's text.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-03-20
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 7, 15 Present (Roll no. 77). (text: CR 3/19/2003 H1976-1977)
action_date: 2003-03-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 7, 15 Present (Roll no. 77).(text: CR 3/19/2003 H1976-1977)
action_date: 2003-03-20
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2137)
action_date: 2003-03-19
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2003-03-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 132.
action_date: 2003-03-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1976-1981)
action_date: 2003-03-19
text: Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 13.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-41.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-41.
action_date: 2003-03-12
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 2.
action_date: 2003-03-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-03-07
text: Subcommittee on the Constitution Discharged.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Introduced in House