Alabama lawmakers are facing backlash over a proposed bill that would require public schools to begin each day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a Judeo-Christian prayer—or risk losing millions in state funding.
House Bill 231, introduced by Republican state Rep. Reed Ingram, is the latest in a wave of legislation testing the boundaries of church-state separation in public schools, AL.com reported.
Supporters argue the bill reinforces American values, while critics warn it violates constitutional protections and could financially cripple noncompliant schools.
Despite concerns over legality and fairness, the bill has advanced through the House State Government Committee and is now set for debate in the full House.
Opponents, including Democratic state Rep. Marilyn Lands, argue that withholding 25% of their funds—potentially $40 million annually from districts like Birmingham City Schools—is an excessive punishment.
The bill does not mandate student participation but requires schools to host the prayer. Ingram defends the measure as necessary to instill patriotism, citing declining military recruitment as a reason to emphasize national identity in schools.
The bill is expected to spark legal challenges if passed, with constitutional lawyers likely to challenge its compatibility with the First Amendment.
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