House Strips Courts of Some Authority

The House of Representatives has voted to deny Federal Courts any authority over the question of using the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.

The legislation ...passed 260 to 167. There is a companion Senate bill, but it is unclear whether the Senate will take it up in the current session.

Republicans Mark Green, Tom Petri, Paul Ryan and Jim Sensenbrenner voted for it, while Democrats Tammy Baldwin, Ron Kind, Gwen Moore and Dave Obey voted against it.

Opponents said the legislation, which would bar federal courts from ruling on the constitutional validity of the pledge, would undercut judicial independence and would deny access to federal courts to religious minorities seeking to defend their rights.

"We are making an all-out assault on the Constitution of the United States which, thank God, will fail," said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Pelosi and those of like mind might do well to READ the Constitution--it specifically authorizes Congress to strip the Courts of authority if Congress deems it appropriate. Instead, she demonstrates that the Left, unable to openly legislate their agenda, prefers to 'stealth-bomb,' using the Courts as a shield and foil.