Capito Votes to Protect the Pledge of Allegiance

Capito Votes to Protect the Pledge of Allegiance

Saying she wishes the legislation wasn't even necessary, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today voiced her strong support of the Pledge Protection Act (H.R. 2389), a measure that would prevent activist federal judges from denying citizens the right to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

"Like most of my West Virginia constituents, I am disappointed that this legislation is necessary," said Rep. Capito. "Unfortunately, a few activist judges have shown a complete disregard for the millions of Americans who proudly recite the Pledge of Allegiance as a statement of our national values. I am proud to stand with the vast majority of Americans - and certainly the vast majority of West Virginians - who support our Pledge of Allegiance."

The Pledge Protection Act gives state courts the authority to rule on the constitutionality of the Pledge for their state only. This will prevent activist federal judges from ruling on the constitutionality of the Pledge for the citizens of states hundreds of miles away.

In 2002, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, located in San Francisco, California, ruled that the Pledge was unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court hadn't dismissed the case, students in nine western states covered by the 9th Circuit wouldn't have been allowed to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools.

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=193&whichone=pr