[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3782]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             MILITARY OATHS

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our Constitution's very first 
amendment protects every individual's freedom of religion, but our 
servicemen and -women who protect our country with their lives are 
seeing that freedom under fire.
  In 2013, the United States Air Force Academy made the phrase ``so 
help me God'' optional in the oath each cadet takes. And why did they 
do that? Because of one radical atheist group's demands.
  Let me be clear: Americans have the freedom of religion--but not the 
freedom from religion. That is why I am introducing legislation that 
requires congressional approval before any change could be made to our 
military oaths.
  Mr. Speaker, the moral foundation of our country is in serious danger 
if we allow radical groups to dictate whether or not we can freely 
express our religious beliefs. I think it is time to take a stand.

                          ____________________