Washington, D.C. – Today the Justice Department announced that it will appeal U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb’s ruling that found the National Day of Prayer to be unconstitutional. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement applauding their decision:

Ranking Member Smith: “The Justice Department today made the right decision to defend the constitutional right of Congress to establish a National Day of Prayer. Setting aside a day to honor a religious practice of many Americans throughout history is in no way unconstitutional. Every American is free to either enjoy it or ignore it. 

“Recognizing prayer has been a national tradition since George Washington. That's why I introduced a resolution this week upholding the National Day of Prayer as constitutional.  I urge Members of Congress to sign on to this resolution in defense of the rights of all Americans to have a day honoring the role prayer has played in American history.”

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