Rep. Issa Voices Support for Pledge of Allegiance, Urges Courts to Expedite Consideration of Case

Rep. Issa Voices Support for Pledge of Allegiance, Urges Courts to Expedite Consideration of Case

September 15, 2005 -
Washington, DC - Congressman Darrell Issa condemned yesterday's Federal District Court decision that the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance are unconstitutional and called upon the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve the lingering controversy at the earliest possible opportunity.

"Today's decision follows an erroneous precedent set by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that the words ‘under God' are not constitutional," said House Judiciary Committee member Darrell Issa. "The Supreme Court could have resolved this controversy last year but it did not set a strong precedent that upholds the constitutionality of the Pledge."

"The framers of our Constitution envisioned a nation where all religions, including the right not to believe, were tolerated - not a nation devoid of religious expression," said Issa. "Judges are supposed to interpret the Constitution, the Supreme Court needs to fully overrule the wrongheaded ruling by the Ninth Circuit and eliminate the legal confusion this ruling continues to create."

Currently, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the western portion of the country and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in the Mid-Atlantic have made conflicting rulings on the constitutionality of the words "under God" in the Pledge.

"At a time when the United States has two openings on the Supreme Court, yesterday's decision underscores the need for judges who interpret existing law instead of legislating from the bench."

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