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SJRES 212 98th Congress Senate

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

Introduced: January 24, 1984 See on congress.gov
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Constitution and constitutional amendmentsConstitutional amendmentsEducationReligion
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Religion and ClergyReligion in the public schools
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This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 8 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 24, 1984
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 641.
Jan 24, 1984
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond without recommendation without amendment. With written report No. 98-347. Additional and minority views filed.
Jan 24, 1984
Committee on Judiciary. Committee, pursuant to previous order of July 14, 1983, approved for reporting without recommendation and without amendment.
Jan 24, 1984
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 24, 1984
Introduced in Senate
Jun 27, 1983
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held prior to introduction and/or referral. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-1127.
May 2, 1983
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held prior to introduction and/or referral.
Apr 29, 1983
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held prior to introduction and/or referral.
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 Latest action January 24, 1984

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 641.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Constitutional Amendment - Declares that nothing in the Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group silent prayer or meditation in public schools. Prohibits the United States or any State from requiring any person to participate in such prayer or to encourage any particular prayer.

States that nothing in the Constitution shall be construed to prohibit equal access in the use of public school facilities by all voluntary student groups.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Grassley, Chuck
Iowa · Jan 24, 1984
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S.J. Res. 212: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary silent prayer or meditation.. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-SJRES-212/
MLA
"S.J. Res. 212: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary silent prayer or meditation.." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-SJRES-212/.
Bluebook (legal)
S.J. Res. 212, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-SJRES-212/.
Markdown link
[S.J. Res. 212: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary silent prayer or meditation.](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-SJRES-212/)
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