English Votes ‘No' on Pledge Protection Bill

English Votes ‘No' on Pledge Protection Bill

Today, after voting against H.R. 2398, legislation to bar most federal courts, including the Supreme Court, from ruling on challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance, U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) released the following statement:

"I have long believed that reciting the Pledge serves to unify our students in citizenship of American democracy and have consistently encouraged schools to continue this time honored tradition, express pride for our country, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

"However, while I will continue to support initiatives to preserve the Pledge, I will not do so at the expense of stripping federal courts of their ability to preserve and protect the individual civil liberties of all Americans.

"This bill seeks to create a dangerous and unhealthy precedent which would allow the Congress to further erode rights we all take for granted.

"The supporters of this bill, while well-meaning, go too far by weakening the courts historic role as guardians of liberty. For this reason, I voted against H.R. 2398."

H.R. 2398 passed the House floor today by a vote of 260 to 157.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/pa03_english/pledge0706.html