Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Led by its chairman, Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), a House subcommittee Tuesday approved a proposed amendment to the Constitution to allow prayer in public schools and the demonstration of religious traditions on public property.
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution voted 8-4 along party lines.
Republicans said the amendment is needed because court interpretations had distorted the 1st Amendment right to religious freedom.
Democrats said voluntary prayer in public school already is permitted and that courts might end up interpreting the proposed amendment in a way its supporters oppose.
“What this recognizes is that religious groups have as much right to access public property as non-religious groups,” Hyde said.
