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HJRES 55 105th Congress House Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Constitutional amendments Education Elementary and secondary education Law Prayer in the public schools Religion Religious liberty Student activities

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary prayer in public schools.

Introduced: February 13, 1997 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 5, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Feb 13, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 13, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E271)
Feb 13, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the Constitution shall prohibit the inclusion of voluntary prayer in any public school program or activity. Provides that neither the United States nor any State shall prescribe the content of any such prayer.

What's happening now March 5, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1 Republican 1
R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Mar 13, 1997
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Mar 6, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 55: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary prayer in public schools.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-55/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 55: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary prayer in public schools.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-55/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 55, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-55/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 55: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary prayer in public schools.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HJRES-55/)
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