44 Members of Congress Join Amicus Brief Supporting Engravings At Capitol Visitor Center

As previously reported, in July the Freedom from Religion Foundation sued in a Wisconsin federal court 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. Last week, the American Center for Law and Justice announced that it had joined with 44 members of the U.S. House of Representatives (including Randy Forbes, chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus) in filing an amicus brief in the case. The brief (full text) argues that the pledge and national motto "accurately reflect the historical fact that this nation was founded upon a belief in God." Contending that neither the pledge nor the motto violates the Establishment Clause, the brief argues that "the First Amendment does not compel the redaction of all references to God just to suit atheistic preferences."