Republicans Push Controversial Votes

[Thurston Howell IV]

WASHINGTON - Flag-burning and the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance are about to join gay marriage among the volatile issues that congressional Republicans have pushed to votes ahead of the election to remind the public how the GOP and Democrats differ.

The House is expected to vote next week on a bill that says only state courts can hear cases involving the pledge. As a result, the Supreme Court could not rule on whether "under God" violates the First Amendment, which says in part, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., has said he also wants a debate and vote on flag-burning before Congress adjourns next month. Lawmakers have debated the flag amendment almost annually since the high court, by a 5-4 decision in 1989, said flag-burning was a form of speech protected by the Constitution.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, has also promised a vote this month on President Bush's call for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages, even though the idea got only 48 votes to 50 against it in the Senate in July. Constitutional amendments require two-thirds majorities, or 67 votes in the Senate and 290 votes in the House.


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