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SJRES 2 99th Congress Senate 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 silent prayer or reflection.

Introduced: January 3, 1985 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 3, 1986
Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Justice Department.
Oct 29, 1985
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment. With written report No. 99-165. Additional and minority views filed.
Oct 29, 1985
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 369.
Oct 3, 1985
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Sep 19, 1985
Committee on Judiciary. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.
Jun 26, 1985
Subcommittee on Constitution. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment favorably.
Jun 19, 1985
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 99-386.
May 15, 1985
Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Justice Department.
May 13, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Constitution.
Jan 3, 1985
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 3, 1985
Introduced in Senate
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 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 reflection 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.

What's happening now April 3, 1986

Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Justice Department.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Grassley, Chuck
Iowa · Oct 2, 1985
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S.J. Res. 2: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary silent prayer or reflection.. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-2/
MLA
"S.J. Res. 2: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary silent prayer or reflection.." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-2/.
Bluebook (legal)
S.J. Res. 2, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-2/.
Markdown link
[S.J. Res. 2: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary silent prayer or reflection.](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-2/)
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