A bill that would allow voters to amend the state constitution to mandate a daily Pledge of Allegiance and student-led voluntary prayer time in Alabama schools passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The bill had the full backing of House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), who posted on social media that he was bringing it to the floor for a full vote.
"Our nation's founding was shaped by Christian values, and I am proud to live in a state that does not shy away from that," said Ledbetter in a statement after the bill's passage. "We should be teaching our children to take pride in being American and to boldly share their faith, which is why prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance belong in our schools. I am proud that the House has passed this important legislation and hope to see the Senate follow suit so the people of Alabama can vote on it."
"It is past time we get prayer back in Alabama's schools," said Ingram. "All across the nation, we are seeing examples of states moving away from the beliefs this country was founded upon, whether it be through anti-religious policies or by teaching children to believe America is anything other than the greatest country on planet Earth. I firmly believe the people of Alabama want no part in that, and from the feedback I have received, they want the opportunity to vote on this constitutional amendment."
House Bill 511 (HB511) was amended by Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook). The change removed language that would have set strict penalties for school districts that did not comply with the law.
During the 2019 legislative session, Ledbetter carried and successfully passed legislation mandating the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at the beginning of each school day.
In that same session, Ledbetter also passed legislation allowing public schools to offer elective courses on the Bible in grades 6-12.
According to Ingram, approximately 20% of our state's public schools are not complying with the Pledge of Allegiance bill. This bill will allow the state superintendent to take action if they are not doing so.
Most of the arguments against prayer were heard in previous committee meetings and included children feeling left out and feeling peer pressure to participate.
Most speakers opposed to the bill noted that when they were in school, they began their mornings with the pledge and a moment of prayer, and that it didn't harm them in any way. Ingram repeatedly noted that the members were better for it.
"We can opt out of prayer in here. There are a lot of folks come in this chamber, when they start praying, I walk out the door because I don't want to hear not one word of prayer from them," State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) said as she confirmed that students would have the opportunity to excuse themselves from prayer.
The bill specifically allows students to opt out and not be in the same room as prayer.
Each school district would have complete authority to create a policy that works for its schools.
An hour and a half into the bill debate, State Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville) offered an amendment that would have declared the time as a moment of silence rather than a prayer.
"Mr. Speaker, this amendment is not a friendly amendment. This will gut the bill, and anybody who votes for this they are voting against prayer in school," Ingram said upon reading the proposed amendment.
When Lands asked about the problem, he explained, "This [amendment] is a moment of silence. This is a prayer bill, not a taking down noise bill. You want silence, go outside. This is a prayer bill, not a moment of silence bill."
The amendment was tabled by a vote of 74-27 with 1 abstention.
The final vote was 94-3 and 6 abstentions.
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