The bill strongly supported by President Reagan for a constitutional amendment to permit voluntary vocal prayers in public schools, was defeated in the Senate today when it fell II votes short of the required two-thirds majority. The vote, in favor of the measure, was 56-44.
Two of the Senate’s eight Jewish members voted for the bill–Chic Hecht (R. Nev.) and Edward Zorinsky (D. Neb.). The six voting against it were Sens. Rudy Boschwitz (R. Minn.); Frank Lautenberg (D.N.J.); Carl Levin (D. Mich.); Howard Metzenbaum (D. Ohio); William Rudman (R. N.H.); and Arlen Specter (R. Pa.). Most national Jewish organizations opposed the bill. (By David Friedman)
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
