GOP to pass bill to affirm 'In God We Trust'

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- House Republicans are trying to pass a resolution to reaffirm that "In God We Trust" is the national motto of the United States.

The proposed resolution, sponsored by Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., is aimed at "supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions."

Republicans argue the resolution, to go to a vote Tuesday, would help reverse what they see as an informal effort to remove mention of God from public buildings, The Hill reported.

"Federal agencies and departments have been instructed that the phrase not be posted in those buildings," Forbes wrote in March. "The effect on our public schools has been chilling, as teachers and administrators do not know whether they can post our national motto on their walls."

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee argued that the resolution is a waste of time better spent working on problems such as high unemployment and budget deficits.

"Instead of addressing any of these critical issues, and instead of working to help American families keep a roof over their heads and food on their tables, we are debating whether or not to affirm and proliferate a motto that was adopted in 1956 and that is not imperiled in any respect," they wrote in a committee report.

"Without question, the Judiciary Committee has many important and time-sensitive matters within its purview," the panel's Democrats added. "The majority, however, seems intent on diverting the committee's time, resources and attention to a measure that has no force of law, only reaffirms existing law and further injects the hand of government into the private religious lives of the American people."