Lynn C. Woolsey: “today the Republicans bring to the floor a bill that would undermine yet another basic freedom. The so-called ``Public…”

“today the Republicans bring to the floor a bill that would undermine yet another basic freedom. The so-called ``Public Expression of Religion Act'' is nothing more than an attack on religious liberty. It promotes government-sponsored religion by limiting challenges to such constitutional violations. This bill is about the government stopping people from standing up for their civil rights. By restricting people's ability to stand up for their civil rights when governments promote a particular religion, this bill chips away at the constitutionally protected separation of church and state. That's not all that's at issue here. Language in the bill leaves the door open to all sorts of state-sponsored violations of constitutional freedoms. It casts a dangerously wide net. This bill also gives the green light to civil rights violations. Exempt from monetary damage payments, local, State and Federal Governments would not have to think twice before violating the separation of church and state. They could act with impunity. Paying attorneys' fees is a normal, time-honored procedure. It allows citizens to stand up for their constitutional rights, knowing that if the court rules in their favor, they can recover the legal fees. This bill is an egregious ploy to undercut Americans' civil rights. Barring attorney's fees would be unprecedented. This dangerous example would set our civil rights on a slippery slope to extinction.”