The official motto of the United States is “In God We Trust.”

It shouldn’t be, but it is.

And because Republicans (and a couple Democrats) in Congress apparently have no other priorities, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) has sponsored legislation to… um… remind everyone that it’s the motto:

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. CON. RES. 13 Reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.

Because if the public schools don’t have signs reading “In God We Trust” for the children to see, then our children won’t be able to learn. Obviously.

Cosponsors of the bill include:

Rodney Alexander [R-LA]

Spencer Bachus [R-AL]

Marsha Blackburn [R-TN]

Paul Broun [R-GA]

Michael Burgess [R-TX]

Jason Chaffetz [R-UT]

Mike Coffman [R-CO]

Michael Conaway [R-TX]

Geoff Davis [R-KY]

Bill Flores [R-TX]

Scott Garrett [R-NJ]

John Gingrey [R-GA]

Walter Jones [R-NC]

John Kline [R-MN]

James Lankford [R-OK]

Daniel Lipinski [D-IL]

Gary Miller [R-CA]

Mike Pence [R-IN]

Nick Rahall [D-WV]

Phil Roe [R-TN]

Mike Ross [D-AR]

William Shuster [R-PA]

Addison Wilson [R-SC]

Frank Wolf [R-VA]

(Dan Lipinski?! You’re one of my people — Democrat and from Illinois! What the hell are you doing?! You’re On Notice.)

The reason for the bill may be because President Obama said in November that the national motto was “E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one.” In fact, that was the old (and far better) motto which was replaced by the current one in 1956.

Forbes and other colleagues sent Obama an angry letter (PDF) after that.

Hopefully, other members of Congress will see this bill as a waste of time and it won’t leave the committee it’s currently in.

(Thanks to Brad for the link!)



