Republicans hit Democrats on pledge vote

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The GOP has targeted a group of Democrats, The Hill reported Wednesday, who opposed limiting the federal judiciary's role in Pledge of Allegiance cases.

The bill, which the GOP labeled "The Pledge Protection Act," would end the federal courts' jurisdiction over cases involving the Pledge of Allegiance. If the legislation, which passed the House 247-173, were to become law then cases such as the one earlier this year that challenged the constitutionality of the phrase "under God" in the pledge could only be heard in state courts.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has compiled a list of 10 Democrats the committee argues are vulnerable on the issue, "based on the makeup and importance of each district in this year's election."

The pledge vote, the paper said, has become a major issue in Indiana's 9th Congressional District, where Republican Mike Sodrel is hitting hard at U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., for his vote in opposition to the proposal.

"We are a culturally conservative district," Sodrel campaign manager Kevin Boehnlein said. "When anyone messes with our faith or our country, it's a big deal. And in this instance they are messing with both our faith and our country by voting against protecting the Pledge of Allegiance."