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HR 2389 109th Congress House

Pledge Protection Act of 2005

Official title: To amend title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance.

Introduced: May 17, 2005 See on congress.gov
Law AllegianceAppellate courtsConstitutional lawDistrict courts
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Government Operations and PoliticsJudicial reviewJurisdictionOathsSupreme Court
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) 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 31 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 4, 2006
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 20, 2006
Received in the Senate.
Jul 19, 2006
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 19, 2006
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 260 - 167 (Roll no. 385).
Jul 19, 2006
The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Jul 19, 2006
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5433)
Jul 19, 2006
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2389.
Jul 19, 2006
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of an amendment which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Jul 19, 2006
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Jul 19, 2006
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5432-5433)
Jul 19, 2006
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2389 as unfinished business.
Jul 19, 2006
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 920, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Akin amendment.
Jul 19, 2006
PROCEEDINGS VITIATED - Ms. Jackson-Lee asked unanimous consent that her request for a recorded vote on her amendment be vitiated, and allow the voice vote to stand. Agreed to without objection.
Jul 19, 2006
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson-Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson-Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Jul 19, 2006
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 920, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson-Lee amendment.
Jul 19, 2006
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Watt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Watt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Jul 19, 2006
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 920, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Watt amendment.
Jul 19, 2006
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2389.
Jul 19, 2006
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 920 and Rule XVIII.
Jul 19, 2006
The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Jul 19, 2006
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2389 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 19, 2006
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 920. (consideration: CR H5397-5419; text of measure as introduced: CR H5414)
Jul 19, 2006
Rule H. Res. 920 passed House.
Jul 18, 2006
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 920 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2389 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jun 28, 2006
Committee Failed to Report Measure by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 15.
Jun 28, 2006
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 7, 2006
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 6, 2006
Subcommittee on the Constitution Discharged.
Jun 6, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
May 17, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 17, 2005
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 19, 2006 House · vote #385 On Passage Passed 260–167 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 3

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 2 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,189 – An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 109-577 to add language making it explicit that the Act is ef… Agreed to Jul 19, 2006
HAMDT 1,188 – An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 109-577 to require that Federal courts have jurisdiction when… Failed Jul 19, 2006
HAMDT 1,187 – An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 109-577 to preserve the authority of the United States Suprem… Failed Jul 19, 2006
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 Latest action August 4, 2006

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Pledge Protection Act of 2005 (sic) - Amends the federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any federal court, and appellate jurisdiction to the Supreme Court, to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance or its validity under the Constitution. Makes this limitation inapplicable to: (1) any court established by Congress under its power to make needful rules and regulations respecting the territory of the United States; or (2) the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 54
GALLEGLY, ELTON
· Apr 26, 2006
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Mar 2, 2006
Davis, Geoff
· Mar 1, 2006
R
Moran, Jerry
Kansas · Feb 7, 2006
R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Nov 1, 2005
GORDON, BART
· Jul 18, 2005
Rodgers, Cathy
· Jun 17, 2005
BARTON, JOE
· May 26, 2005
HOEKSTRA, PETER
· May 26, 2005
LINDER, JOHN
· May 26, 2005
R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · May 26, 2005
R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · May 26, 2005
WAMP, ZACH
· May 26, 2005
R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · May 17, 2005
Barrett, J.
· May 17, 2005
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · May 17, 2005
R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · May 17, 2005
BOEHNER, JOHN
· May 17, 2005
R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · May 17, 2005
BROWN, HENRY
· May 17, 2005
Brown-Waite, Ginny
· May 17, 2005
R
Calvert, Ken
California · May 17, 2005
CANTOR, ERIC
· May 17, 2005
R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · May 17, 2005
R
Carter, John R.
Texas · May 17, 2005
R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · May 17, 2005
COSTELLO, JERRY
· May 17, 2005
Davis, Lincoln
· May 17, 2005
R
Diaz-Balart, Mario
Florida · May 17, 2005
DIAZ-BALART, LINCOLN
· May 17, 2005
EHLERS, VERNON
· May 17, 2005
EMERSON, JO
· May 17, 2005
R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · May 17, 2005
FRELINGHUYSEN, RODNEY
· May 17, 2005
HASTINGS, DOC
· May 17, 2005
R
Issa, Darrell
California · May 17, 2005
Marshall, Jim
· May 17, 2005
PUTNAM, ADAM
· May 17, 2005
RADANOVICH, GEORGE
· May 17, 2005
REHBERG, DENNY
· May 17, 2005
R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · May 17, 2005
R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · May 17, 2005
Ryan, Paul
· May 17, 2005
SHADEGG, JOHN
· May 17, 2005
Shuster, Bill
· May 17, 2005
R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · May 17, 2005
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · May 17, 2005
SOUDER, MARK
· May 17, 2005
STEARNS, CLIFF
· May 17, 2005
Sullivan, John
· May 17, 2005
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2389: Pledge Protection Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2389/
MLA
"H.R. 2389: Pledge Protection Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2389/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2389, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2389/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2389: Pledge Protection Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2389/)
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