Alan Simpson: “I rise today to condemn the absurd logic of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in its decision regarding the Pledge of…”

“I rise today to condemn the absurd logic of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in its decision regarding the Pledge of Allegiance and renew my call for much needed reform to stop the unchecked abuses of this court. We in the West have long known the Ninth Circuit is a court out of touch with reality. Yesterday's ruling, however, marks a new low for this court and is an affront to the principles on which our nation was founded. The Ninth Circuit, without question, is the most overturned appeals court in the nation. The 1996-1997 session alone saw 95 percent of its cases reviewed by the Supreme Court overturned--and the wholesale rejection of this court's decision continues to this day. I call upon my colleagues in the House to support legislation I put forward last year that would split the Ninth Circuit into two courts and put an end to this cycle of wasteful and irresponsible rulings. My constituents deserve better, the people of the nation deserve better, and the constitution deserves better. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. This is an outrage to me, to Congress, to the man on the street, and to the children who will be told they can no longer say the pledge in school! I am livid over the court's brainless decision. I pledge to support every effort to overturn this horrible decision.”