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September 25, 2006

UPDATE: The House passed the Public Expression of Religion Act (H.R. 2679) on September 26 by a vote of 244-173 (Roll Call 480). The bill now needs a Senate vote.

Defend Your Right to Free Speech Tell your Representative to vote YES on the Public Expression of Religion Act! For years, conservative organizations have sought to prevent federal tax dollars from going to left-leaning groups, such as the ACLU. Currently, plaintiffs in Establishment Clause cases have the right to collect attorney's fees if they win the lawsuit, but these legal fees come at the cost of local taxpayers! Currently cosponsored by 66 Representatives, The Public Expression of Religion Act (PERA), H.R. 2679, ensures that local officials and communities will not face financial ruin to defend their rights to free speech under the Constitution. PERA provides that: When state or local officials are sued over public expressions of religion, no monetary damages, costs, or attorney's fees may be awarded. Establishment Clause cases can be brought against State and local governments only for injunctive relief, meaning the only relief a court could order in those cases is that the State or local government stops doing whatever it was doing that was an alleged violation. Each party in an Establishment Clause lawsuit shoulders its own cost. This is an important piece of legislation that will ensure that the states and localities are on equal footing with those who are suing them! A Senate version, S. 3696, has also been introduced by Senator Brownback (R-KS). The House Judiciary committee approved PERA on September 7, 2006. H.R. 2679 is scheduled to come to the House floor this week for a vote. Call your Representatives today! Take Action Call your member's office and let them know you expect them to vote YES on The Public Expression of Religion Act! Capitol Switchboard: (202)-224-3121 House E-mail addresses Senate E-mail addresses

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