The U.S. House of Representatives defeated a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed taxpayer funding of religious schools, prayer in public schools and other forms of religious expression on public property. The so- called “Religious Freedom Amendment,” sponsored by Rep. Ernest Istook (R- Okla.), received a simple majority, 224-203, but failed to muster the two- thirds vote necessary to amend the Constitution. Jewish groups, which had called the measure unnecessary and dangerous, hailed Congress’ action.
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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.
