Religious conservatives in Congress on Thursday introduced a "religious freedom" amendment to the Constitution that would explicitly allow prayer in public schools, religious symbols on government property and tax dollars for private religious schools.
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Critics immediately denounced it as unnecessary, saying the First Amendment already protects religious expression.The amendment was introduced by Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., and had 116 co-sponsors, including many House Republican leaders. Istook said the leaders promised him a vote on the floor this fall. To be approved, such an amendment would require a two-thirds vote of each house and acceptance by three-fourths of the states.