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H.Res.459 / 107th Congress

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Newdow v. U.S. Congress was erroneously decided, and for other purposes.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 26, 2002

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Pledge of Allegiance, including the phrase "One Nation, under God," reflects the historical fact that a belief in God permeated the founding and development of our Nation; (2) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals's ruling is inconsistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's First Amendment jurisprudence that the Pledge and similar expressions are not unconstitutional expressions of religious belief; (3) such phrase should remain in the Pledge; and (4) the Ninth Circuit should agree to rehear this ruling en banc in order to reverse this constitutionally infirm and historically incorrect ruling.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-9] · R–WI

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
182 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  2. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 3, 11 Present (Roll no. 273). (text: CR H4125)

    House roll call 273 · Individual votes
  3. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 3, 11 Present (Roll no. 273).(text: CR H4125)

    House roll call 273 · Individual votes
  4. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 459.

  5. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4125-4136)

  6. Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

  7. Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

  8. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  9. Introduced in House

  10. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.459 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.459 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.459 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.459 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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