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SJRES 3 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 school prayer.

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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 19, 1985
Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.
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 abridge the right of persons to participate in voluntary prayer in public schools or institutions. States that no person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer. Prohibits the United States or any State from composing words of prayer to be said in the public schools.

What's happening now June 19, 1985

Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HJRES 279 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
McConnell, Mitch
Kentucky · May 24, 1985
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S.J. Res. 3: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-3/
MLA
"S.J. Res. 3: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-3/.
Bluebook (legal)
S.J. Res. 3, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-3/.
Markdown link
[S.J. Res. 3: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to voluntary school prayer.](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-SJRES-3/)
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