Latest news with #GOP-drafted
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to sign Ten Commandments bill after Senate approval
A Texas bill that would order the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms was advanced by the state Senate on Wednesday, sending the legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk after the House of Representatives passed an amended version Sunday. The Senate passed the GOP-drafted Senate Bill 10 in March along party lines. Despite debate and attempts to delay the bill's progress in the House in recent days, a Democratic lawmaker's amendment that requires the state, rather than school districts, to defend any legal challenges to the law was approved on Sunday. Such a change forced the bill back to the Senate for approval with only days left in the current legislative session. With that approval in place, Abbott, a Republican, is expected to sign the bill. His spokesman referred a request for comment to what Abbott posted on X earlier this month: "Let's get this bill to my desk. I'll make it law." Texas, the second-largest state with more than 5 million students enrolled in public schools, would follow Louisiana and most recently Arkansas in passing legislation requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms. But like Louisiana, Texas could face a barrage of legal challenges over the law's constitutionality. Louisiana has not fully implemented its legislation after a coalition of parents of different faiths filed a federal lawsuit just days after the bill was signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican. A judge in November sided with those parents when he concluded that the state had not offered "any constitutional way to display the Ten Commandments." Louisiana officials appealed, but a ruling has not been issued. Now, with other states passing their own laws, the arguments could eventually wind up again before the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1980 ruled that classroom displays of the Ten Commandments were unconstitutional. But a wave of new laws and mandates in states, particularly in the South, having begun to test the bounds of what may be legally permissible when it comes to religion in public schools. Under Texas' bill, all public elementary or secondary schools would have to "display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments." The displays would have to be at least 16 inches by 20 inches and include the text of the Ten Commandments as written in the bill. Once the bill is signed into law, schools "must accept any offer of privately donated" displays or may use district funds, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The legislation does not have an enforcement mechanism, and it's unclear what might happen to schools or individual teachers who refuse to comply. State Sen. Phil King, the lead author of the bill, has said he believes the legislation stands up to scrutiny following a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that found a former Washington state high school football coach had a right to pray on the field immediately after games. The ruling by the conservative-majority court took a different approach by examining "historical practices and understandings" to interpret whether the First Amendment was being violated. "Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has reversed a previous erroneous decision, what was taken from our students can now be rightfully restored," King said in a statement Wednesday. "I look forward to having the Ten Commandments, a historical document foundational to our nation's history and character, back in schools across Texas." In arguments against the bill during debate, state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat and a Christian, said the specific posting of the Ten Commandments would give the appearance that the state is favoring one religion over others to the detriment of non-Christian students. He also questioned if state lawmakers had ever broken any of the commandments themselves. Other Democrats and critics asked why parents and school districts could not have a choice in whether to allow the Ten Commandments in classrooms, when some Republicans have been vocal about wanting parents to decide what books and topics are permissible in schools. "Families across Texas believe deeply in faith, but they also believe in freedom," Rocío Fierro-Pérez, the political director of the Texas Freedom Network, which has opposed the Ten Commandments legislation, said in a statement. "Freedom to raise their kids according to their own values. Freedom from government interference in personal beliefs. That's what's really under attack here." But the bill isn't the only religious-based one to win approval this legislative session, after Texas lawmakers passed a bill that would permit school districts to adopt policies allowing for a period of prayer in schools and the reading of the Bible or "other religious text" with parental consent. Abbott is also expected to sign it into law. This article was originally published on
NBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to sign Ten Commandments bill after Senate approval
A Texas bill that would order the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms was advanced by the state Senate on Wednesday, sending the legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk after the House of Representatives passed an amended version Sunday. The Senate previously passed the GOP-drafted Senate Bill 10 in March along party lines. Despite debate and attempts to delay the bill's progress in the House in recent days, a Democratic lawmaker's amendment that requires the state, rather than school districts, to defend any legal challenges to the law was approved on Sunday. Such a change forced the bill back to the Senate for approval with only days left in the current legislative session. With that approval in place, Abbott, a Republican, is expected to sign the bill. His spokesman referred a request for comment to what Abbott posted on X earlier this month: "Let's get this bill to my desk. I'll make it law." Texas, the second-largest state in the country with more than 5 million students enrolled in public schools, would follow Louisiana and most recently, Arkansas, which have their own requirements for the Ten Commandments in classrooms. But like Louisiana, Texas could face a barrage of legal challenges over the law's constitutionality. Louisiana has not fully implemented its legislation after a coalition of parents of different faiths filed a federal lawsuit just days after the bill was signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican. A judge in November sided with those parents when he concluded the state had not offered "any constitutional way to display the Ten Commandments." Louisiana officials appealed, but a ruling has not been issued. Now, with other states passing their own laws, the arguments could eventually wind up again before the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1980 ruled that classroom displays of the Ten Commandments were unconstitutional. But a wave of new laws and mandates in states, particularly in the South, having begun to test the bounds of what may be legally permissible when it comes to religion in public schools. Under Texas' bill, all public elementary or secondary schools would have to "display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments." The displays would have to be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall and include the text of the Ten Commandments as written in the bill. Once the bill is signed into law, schools "must accept any offer of privately donated" displays or may use district funds, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The legislation does not have an enforcement mechanism, and it's unclear what might happen to schools or individual teachers who refuse to comply. State Sen. Phil King, the lead author of the bill, has said he believes the legislation stands up to scrutiny following a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that found a former Washington state high school football coach had a right to pray on the field immediately after games. The ruling by the conservative-majority court took a different approach by examining "historical practices and understandings" to interpret whether the First Amendment was being violated. "The legislation is in accord with the history and traditions of our state and nation," King previously said, adding that students will "appreciate the role of the Ten Commandments in our heritage." In arguments against the bill during debate, state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat who is Christian, said the specific posting of the Ten Commandments would give the appearance that the state is favoring one religion over others to the detriment of non-Christian students. He also questioned if state lawmakers had ever broken any of the commandments themselves. Other Democrats asked why parents and school districts could not have a choice in whether to allow the Ten Commandments in classrooms, when some Republicans have been vocal about wanting parents to decide what books and topics are permissible in schools. The bill isn't the only religious-based one to win approval this legislative session, after Texas lawmakers passed legislation that would permit school districts to adopt policies allowing for a period of prayer in schools and reading of the Bible or "other religious text" with parental consent. Abbott is also expected to sign it into law.
NBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Texas bill to require Ten Commandments in public schools moves closer to governor's desk
A bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom in Texas cleared a key legislative hurdle Sunday and is closer to heading to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. The state House of Representatives passed a version of the Ten Commandments bill in a 82-46 vote following a week of debate and delay, when Democratic lawmakers attempted to introduce amendments, including allowing individual school districts to opt in and for the Ten Commandments to be in different languages. After the House passed the bill with an amendment on Sunday — requiring the state, rather than school districts, to defend any legal challenges to the law — it must now return to the Senate for approval. Advocates of the law celebrated the win after they initially assumed the bill would proceed directly to the governor once passed by the House. Abbott's office did not immediately comment about its passage, but the Republican governor is expected to sign it into law if it reaches his desk. The state Senate approved a previous version of the legislation in March on a 20-11 party-line vote. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had said the success of the bill, known as SB 10, was among his priorities for the current session, which ends next month, after similar legislation failed in 2023 because of time constraints. 'By placing the Ten Commandments in our public school classrooms, we ensure our students receive the same foundational moral compass as our state and country's forefathers,' Patrick said. Still, Texas' Ten Commandments legislation is likely to face constitutional opposition, as it has in Louisiana, where a GOP-drafted law was signed last year by Gov. Jeff Landry and was quickly challenged by a coalition of parents of different religious beliefs. Under Texas' bill, all public elementary or secondary schools would have to 'display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments.' The displays would have to be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall and include the text of the Ten Commandments as written in the bill. Once the bill is signed into law, schools 'must accept any offer of privately donated' displays or may use district funds, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The legislation does not have an enforcement mechanism, and it's unclear what might happen to schools or individual teachers who refuse to comply. According to a state House committee analysis, the bill itself also 'does not expressly create a criminal offense.' State Sen. Phil King, the lead author of the bill, had said he was introducing the legislation because 'the Ten Commandments are part of our Texas and American story.' But state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat who is Christian, objected to the bill last week during an earlier vote, saying a display of such religious text may feel exclusionary to non-Christian students. 'Forcing our religion down their throats is not love,' Talarico said. With Louisiana and most recently Arkansas mandating the Ten Commandments in public schools, legal arguments over such laws could eventually wind up again before the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1980 ruled that classroom displays of the Ten Commandments were unconstitutional. Louisiana has not fully implemented its law as officials await a federal appeals court ruling on its constitutionality. In November, a lower court judge concluded the state had not offered 'any constitutional way to display the Ten Commandments.' Meanwhile, Texas House members on Friday approved another religio n -based bill that would permit school districts to adopt policies allowing for a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or 'other religious text' with parental consent. Abbott is also expected to sign it into law. Emily Witt, a spokeswoman for the Texas Freedom Network, a grassroots group that advocates for religious freedom, said the wave of conservative-leaning legislation across Texas and other states is part of a wider 'coordinated strategy' to infuse the Bible in public school education. 'The message this sends to kids is that they're being told their religion doesn't matter and isn't as important as this one,' Witt said. 'We worry that leads to bullying and otherism — all things in public schools that we try to prevent.' CLARIFICATION (May 25, 2025, 4:50 p.m. ET): This article was updated after publication to clarify that the legislation must go back to the state Senate for approval, rather than directly to the governor, as supporters of the law had initially indicated in a news release.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas bill to require Ten Commandments in public schools moves closer to governor's desk
A bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom in Texas cleared a key legislative hurdle Sunday and is closer to heading to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. The state House of Representatives passed a version of the Ten Commandments bill in a 82-46 vote following a week of debate and delay, when Democratic lawmakers attempted to introduce amendments, including allowing individual school districts to opt in and for the Ten Commandments to be in different languages. After the House passed the bill with an amendment on Sunday — requiring the state, rather than school districts, to defend any legal challenges to the law — it must now return to the Senate for approval. Advocates of the law celebrated the win after they initially assumed the bill would proceed directly to the governor once passed by the House. Abbott's office did not immediately comment about its passage, but the Republican governor is expected to sign it into law if it reaches his desk. The state Senate approved a previous version of the legislation in March on a 20-11 party-line vote. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had said the success of the bill, known as SB 10, was among his priorities for the current session, which ends next month, after similar legislation failed in 2023 because of time constraints. 'By placing the Ten Commandments in our public school classrooms, we ensure our students receive the same foundational moral compass as our state and country's forefathers,' Patrick said. Still, Texas' Ten Commandments legislation is likely to face constitutional opposition, as it has in Louisiana, where a GOP-drafted law was signed last year by Gov. Jeff Landry and was quickly challenged by a coalition of parents of different religious beliefs. Under Texas' bill, all public elementary or secondary schools would have to 'display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments.' The displays would have to be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall and include the text of the Ten Commandments as written in the bill. Once the bill is signed into law, schools 'must accept any offer of privately donated' displays or may use district funds, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The legislation does not have an enforcement mechanism, and it's unclear what might happen to schools or individual teachers who refuse to comply. According to a state House committee analysis, the bill itself also 'does not expressly create a criminal offense.' State Sen. Phil King, the lead author of the bill, had said he was introducing the legislation because 'the Ten Commandments are part of our Texas and American story.' But state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat who is Christian, objected to the bill last week during an earlier vote, saying a display of such religious text may feel exclusionary to non-Christian students. 'Forcing our religion down their throats is not love,' Talarico said. With Louisiana and most recently Arkansas mandating the Ten Commandments in public schools, legal arguments over such laws could eventually wind up again before the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1980 ruled that classroom displays of the Ten Commandments were unconstitutional. Louisiana has not fully implemented its law as officials await a federal appeals court ruling on its constitutionality. In November, a lower court judge concluded the state had not offered 'any constitutional way to display the Ten Commandments.' Meanwhile, Texas House members on Friday approved another religion-based bill that would permit school districts to adopt policies allowing for a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or 'other religious text' with parental consent. Abbott is also expected to sign it into law. Emily Witt, a spokeswoman for the Texas Freedom Network, a grassroots group that advocates for religious freedom, said the wave of conservative-leaning legislation across Texas and other states is part of a wider 'coordinated strategy' to infuse the Bible in public school education. 'The message this sends to kids is that they're being told their religion doesn't matter and isn't as important as this one,' Witt said. 'We worry that leads to bullying and otherism — all things in public schools that we try to prevent.' CLARIFICATION (May 25, 2025, 4:50 p.m. ET): This article was updated after publication to clarify that the legislation must go back to the state Senate for approval, rather than directly to the governor, as supporters of the law had initially indicated in a news release. This article was originally published on
CNBC
7 days ago
- Politics
- CNBC
Texas bill requiring Ten Commandments in public schools headed to governor's desk
A bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom in Texas cleared a key legislative hurdle Sunday and is poised to go to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. The state House of Representatives passed a version of the Ten Commandments bill in a 82-46 vote following a week of debate and delay, when Democratic lawmakers attempted to introduce amendments. Those amendments, including allowing individual school districts to opt in and for the Ten Commandments to be in different languages, were voted down by a Republican majority. Abbott's office did not immediately comment about its passage, but the Republican governor is expected to sign it into law after the state Senate approved its version of the legislation in March on a 20-11 party-line vote. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had previously said that the success of the bill, known as SB 10, was among his priorities for the current session, which ends next month, after similar legislation failed in 2023 because of time constraints. "By placing the Ten Commandments in our public school classrooms, we ensure our students receive the same foundational moral compass as our state and country's forefathers," Patrick said. Still, Texas' Ten Commandments legislation is likely to face constitutional opposition as it has in Louisiana, where a GOP-drafted law was signed last year by Gov. Jeff Landry and was quickly challenged by a coalition of parents of different religious beliefs. Under Texas' bill, all public elementary or secondary schools must "display in a conspicuous place in each classroom of the school a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments." The displays must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, and include the text of the Ten Commandments as written in the bill. Once signed into law, schools "must accept any offer of privately donated" displays or may use district funds, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The legislation does not have an enforcement mechanism, and it's unclear what may happen to schools or individual teachers who refuse to comply. According to a state House committee analysis, the bill itself also "does not expressly create a criminal offense." State Sen. Phil King, the lead author of the bill, previously said he was introducing the legislation because "the Ten Commandments are part of our Texas and American story." But state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat who is Christian, objected to the bill this week during an earlier vote, saying a display of such religious text may feel exclusionary to non-Christian students. "Forcing our religion down their throats is not love," Talarico said. With Louisiana and most recently Arkansas mandating the Ten Commandments in public schools, legal arguments over such laws could eventually wind up again before the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1980 ruled that classroom displays of the Ten Commandments were unconstitutional. Louisiana has not fully implemented its law as officials await a federal appeals court ruling on its constitutionality. In November, a lower court judge concluded the state had not offered "any constitutional way to display the Ten Commandments." Meanwhile, Texas House lawmakers on Friday approved another religion-based bill that would permit school districts to adopt policies allowing for a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or "other religious text" with parental consent. Abbott is also expected to sign it into law. Emily Witt, a spokeswoman for the Texas Freedom Network, a grassroots group that advocates for religious freedom, said the wave of conservative-leaning legislation across Texas and other states is part of a wider "coordinated strategy" to infuse the Bible in public school education. "The message this sends to kids is that they're being told their religion doesn't matter and isn't as important as this one," Witt said. "We worry that leads to bullying and otherism — all things in public schools that we try to prevent."
