Lawsuit Challenges Congress' Decision To Add Motto and Pledge To Capitol Visitor Center

The Freedom from Religion Foundation yesterday filed suit in federal district court in Wisconsin challenging Congress' directive to the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the motto "In God We Trust" and the Pledge of Allegiance in the Capitol Visitor Center. The complaint (full text) in Freedom from Religion Foundation, Inc. v. Ayers, (WD WI, filed 7/14/2009) alleges that the directive violates the Establishment Clause. An FFRF press release reports that the lawsuit was filed after both the House and Senate last week passed resolutions ordering the additions in response to threats by Sen. Jim DeMint last December to hold up the opening of the Visitor Center which he said failed to recognize the country's religious heritage. (See prior related posting.) AP also reports on the lawsuit.