Recognizing America’s Spiritual Heritage.  Co-chairmen of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, Congressman Forbes and Congressman McIntyre, reintroduced a bill to recognize our nation’s religious history.  H.Res.397, America’s Spiritual Heritage Resolution, affirms the rich spiritual and diverse religious history of our nation’s founding and subsequent history, and designates the first week in May as America’s Spiritual Heritage Week.  The bill is currently before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Ensuring that Our Nation’s Religious History is Included in the Capitol Visitor Center.  Members of the Prayer Caucus supported and voted for H.Con.Res.131, directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave our national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ and The Pledge of Allegiance in a permanent and prominent location in the Capitol Visitor Center.  This bill passed the House on July 9, 2009 by a vote of 410-8-2 and passed the Senate on July 10 by Unanimous Consent.

Retaining the Practice of Flag-folding Ceremonies for Veterans Funerals.  After fighting to reverse a decision to strip God from flag-folding ceremonies, Members of the Prayer Caucus are supporting H.R.2586, which seeks to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs from authorizing honor guards to participate in funerals of veterans interred in national cemeteries unless the honor guards may offer families the option of having the honor guard perform the 13-fold flag recitation.  This bill is currently before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Working to Display the Lincoln-Obama Bible and Copy of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address in the Capitol Visitor Center. Members of the Prayer Caucus are supporting H.Con.Res.149, to have the Lincoln-Obama Bible and copy of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address placed on display in the Capitol Visitor Center.  On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama swore his Constitutional oath by placing his hand upon the very Bible that Abraham Lincoln used during his First Inauguration 148 years earlier.  Additionally, the table used during Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address is currently on display without the Address. The bill is currently before the House Administration Committee.

Protecting the Ability of Military Chaplains to Pray Their Conscience.  The Prayer Caucus is supporting H.R. 268 to ensure that military chaplains are able to close a prayer outside of a religious service according to the chaplain’s conscience.  This bill is currently before the House Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel.  

Recognizing the Importance of the Bible in American Society.  Members of the Prayer Caucus are supporting H.Con.Res.121, which calls on the President to designate 2010 as the Year of the Bible.  President Reagan proclaimed 1983 as such and stated, “Of the many influences that have shaped the United States of America into a distinctive Nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible.”  This Resolution is currently before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Supporting the National Day of Prayer.  Members of the Prayer Caucus signed on to amicus curiae brief written by the American Center for Law & Justice in the case of The Freedom From Religions Foundation, Inc., et al. v. President Barack Obama, et al.  The brief supported the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer by highlighting our nation’s rich history of recognizing such a day, beginning in 1775 with the first call to prayer.  In 1952 Congress passed and President Truman signed a joint resolution declaring an annual National Day of Prayer.  In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, to permanently set the day as the first Thursday in May every year.

Protecting Veterans’ Memorials.  Members of the Prayer Caucus also signed on to amicus curiae brief submitted by the American Center for Law & Justice in the case of Ken L. Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, et al. v. Frank Buono.  This case involves a Veterans’ Memorial in the Mojave National Preserve which happens to be marked with a wooden cross.  This case will be heard by the United States Supreme Court this fall and will set important precedent as to whether such memorials violate the Establishment Clause.

Recognizing Church Services in the Capitol.  Members of the Prayer Caucus are supporting H.R.3477, which directs the Architect of the Capitol to permanently display a plaque in National Statuary Hall to recognize the seven decades of church services held in the U.S. Capitol from 1800-1868.  The bill is currently before the House Committee on House Administration.