[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 166 (Thursday, September 24, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 715--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Mr. BRAUN (for himself, Mr. Tillis, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Scott of 
Florida, Mr. Moran, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Young, Mr. Rubio, 
Mr. Cramer, Mrs. Capito, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Loeffler, Mr. Boozman, 
Mr. Risch, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Grassley, Mr. 
Hoeven, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Inhofe, Mrs. Fischer, 
Mr. Cornyn, and Mr. Cotton) submitted the following resolution; which 
was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 715

       Whereas the United States was founded on principles of 
     religious freedom by the Founders, many of whom were deeply 
     religious;
       Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States embodies principles intended to guarantee 
     freedom of religion both through the free exercise thereof 
     and by prohibiting the Government from establishing a 
     religion;
       Whereas the Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis 
     Bellamy, a Baptist Minister, and first published in the 
     September 8, 1892, issue of the Youth's Companion;
       Whereas, in 1954, Congress added the words ``under God'' to 
     the Pledge of Allegiance;
       Whereas, for over 60 years, the Pledge of Allegiance has 
     included references to the United States flag, to the country 
     having been established as a union ``under God'', and to the 
     country being dedicated to securing ``liberty and justice for 
     all'';
       Whereas, in 1954, Congress believed it was acting 
     constitutionally when it revised the Pledge of Allegiance;
       Whereas the Senate of the 116th Congress believes that the 
     Pledge of Allegiance is a constitutional expression of 
     patriotism;
       Whereas patriotic songs, engravings on United States legal 
     tender, and engravings on Federal buildings also contain 
     general references to ``God'';
       Whereas the Supreme Court overturned Newdow v. United 
     States Congress, 328 F.3d 466 (9th Cir. 2003), a case in 
     which the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth 
     Circuit held that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance 
     by a student's public school teacher violated the 
     Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the 
     Constitution of the United States; and
       Whereas the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth 
     Circuit later concluded that its previous opinion in Newdow 
     was no longer binding precedent, that case law from the 
     Supreme Court of the United States concerning the 
     Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the 
     Constitution of the United States had subsequently changed, 
     and that Congress, when passing the new version of the Pledge 
     of Allegiance, established a secular purpose for the use of 
     the terms ``under God'' and, thus, the United States Court of 
     Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the recitation of the 
     Pledge of Allegiance by public school teachers: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) the Pledge of Allegiance has been a valuable part of 
     life for the people of the United States for generations; and
       (2) the Senate strongly defends the constitutionality of 
     the Pledge of Allegiance.

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