Mike Pence: “the American Congress in 1776 adopted a Declaration of Independence which asserted the belief that we are endowed by our…”

“the American Congress in 1776 adopted a Declaration of Independence which asserted the belief that we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. In fact, the Congress that adopted the first amendment and its freedom of religion clause also established the chaplaincy and the practice, as we saw today, of opening this House in prayer. Nevertheless, over the past 42 years, since the famous prayer in school cases, our Federal courts have showed increased hostility toward the acknowledgement of God in the public square. But as we heard yesterday before the Judiciary subcommittee, Congress can finally do something about it. The Constitution Restoration Act simply put, Mr. Speaker, would use article III powers to deny the Federal courts jurisdiction over any case where the action is brought because a public official simply acknowledges God. Let us restore that basic freedom of religion in the public square, the acknowledgment of God that our founders so cherished and enshrined in this institution. The freedom of religion must never become the freedom from religion. Let us pass the Constitution Restoration Act in this Congress.”