WASHINGTON, JULY 19, 2006 -- "Throughout our history, a cornerstone belief in our county has been that ours is a nation set apart by providence," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala) on the House floor today. "This belief in our nation being 'under God' is a central part of our heritage, and I am appalled that this - our history - is being threatened with revision and extinction by federal judges with activist political agendas." Holding up a penny on the House floor, Stearns read from the coin "In God We Trust." Pointing behind the Speaker's Chair, Stearns read the inscription "In God We Trust."
Although the Supreme Court dismissed a case to remove "one Nation under God," from the Pledge, it was due to a technicality. There is a current case before the Ninth Circuit Court, with a ruling expected in March 2007. The House today voted for H.R. 2398, the Pledge Protection Act, which removes the Pledge of Allegiance from the jurisdiction of Federal courts. Since State courts are not under the authority of Congress, they could still rule on the pledge.
Explained Stearns, "The ability of Congress to limit the jurisdiction of Federal courts is one of our government's checks on the power of the judiciary. Law and precedent support congressional limits on Federal court jurisdiction, including denying Federal courts jurisdiction over procedures governing timber projects in 2002, and limiting class action lawsuits last year in the Class Action Fairness Act."
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