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HJRES 61 100th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Constitution and constitutional amendments Constitutional amendments Education Prayer in the public schools Religion Religion and Clergy Religion in the public schools

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.

Introduced: January 6, 1987 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 10, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Jan 6, 1987
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Jan 6, 1987
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the U.S. Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. States that no person shall be required by the United States or any State to participate in prayer. Provides that neither the United States nor any State shall compose prayers to be said in public schools.

What's happening now February 10, 1987

Referred to Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • SJRES 7 Identical bill A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Dec 15, 1987
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 61: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HJRES-61/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 61: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HJRES-61/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 61, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HJRES-61/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 61: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HJRES-61/)
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