Boehner Calls on President Obama to Direct Justice Dept. to Appeal Troubling National Day of Prayer Ruling

Today, a Carter-appointed federal judge sided with the Freedom From Religion Foundation and declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. Congress established the National Day of Prayer in 1952 and established the first Thursday in May as a day for the president to call the people to pray for America. The decision underscores two important facts: elections have consequences, and men and women of faith must be involved in the fight to defend our values.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement calling on President Obama to direct the Justice Department to appeal a ruling issued today by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb holding that the annual National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional:

"America has recognized national days of prayer dating back to the Second Continental Congress in 1775. These annual observances allow us to honor the important role prayer has played in our nation’s history and our daily lives. By celebrating a National Day of Prayer, we honor our Constitution’s protection of religious expression. While I am pleased to see that President Obama will still issue a proclamation recognizing this year’s National Day of Prayer, I hope that he will direct the Justice Department to appeal this troubling ruling. It violates both well-established legal precedent and the spirit of the principles on which our nation was founded."

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Tags: John Boehner, National Day of Prayer, DOJ
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