Rep. Randy Forbes contends that passage of his resolution affirming "In God We Trust" as the national motto was necessary because President Barack Obama and other public officials often forget it, according to
The Hill.
“Unfortunately, there are a number of public officials who forget what the national motto is, whether intentionally or unintentionally," the Virginia Republican said during a debate over the bill leading up to its passage Tuesday. "There are those who become confused as to whether or not it can still be placed on our buildings, whether it can be placed in our school classrooms.”
He criticized Obama for saying that our national motto is “E pluribus Unum” in a speech almost a year ago. "When the Visitor Center was opened . . . they did not have the national motto in there. In fact, they inscribed in the stones that our national motto was 'E pluribus Unum,'" Forbes said.
The resolution passed in a landslide: 396-9. Only one Republican voted against it, Justin Amash of Michigan.
Increasing attacks against recognition of the motto justify the bill, Republicans say. Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., cited a lawsuit in his district challenging the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance that ended up in the Supreme Court. "This is an important message to reaffirm, it is in fact under attack. We are not wasting time," he said.
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