(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted in favor of an amendment to the House Financial Services appropriations bill to include the words “In God We Trust” on the face of newly minted dollar coins. Congress passed legislation in 2005 to create the dollar coin, but the phrase was etched on the rim of the coins instead of the face, making it difficult to see and read.

“On the fourth of July we not only celebrate our independence, but also the history of our great nation,” said McMorris Rodgers. “Therefore it is appropriate and timely that Congress acted now to fix this oversight and include the words ‘In God We Trust’ on the new dollar coins. This phrase has been found on our coins for nearly 150 years and represents the strength and faith of our country.”

The phrase “In God We Trust” is attributed to increased religious sentiment during the Civil War and first appeared on the two-cent coin in 1864. In 1956, President Eisenhower signed a Joint Resolution declaring “In God We Trust” the national motto. The words first appeared on paper money the following year.