An ugly exchange broke out on the House floor yesterday as Congress debated the Defense Appropriations Bill. At issue, according to the report in today's Washington Post, was the language Congress would use in calling for the Air Force to report on the charges of religious intolerance at the Air Force Academy. After Democrats introduced an amendment calling for the Air Force Academy to develop a plan to prevent "coercive and abusive religious proselytizing", Indiana Representative John Hostettler said:
"The long war on Christianity in America continues today on the floor of the House of Representatives" and "continues unabated with aid and comfort to those who would eradicate any vestige of our Christian heritage being supplied by the usual suspects, the Democrats. Like a moth to a flame, Democrats can't help themselves when it comes to denigrating and demonizing Christians."
Eventually Hostettler withdrew his remarks under threat of a ruling by the chair that he had violated House rules by disparaging another member. The Democratic amendment was ultimately defeated and was replaced by a milder Republican version calling for the Air Force to report on how it is promoting religious tolerance. The full text of the debate is available in yesterday's Congressional Record.
