Republicans Block Two Measures Aimed at Creating Environment of Religious Respect at Air Force Academy

June 3, 2005

Source: The Forward

http://www.forward.com/articles/3256

On June 3, 2005 The Forward reported, "House Republicans have killed two measures aimed at requiring the Air Force to submit a plan for ensuring religious tolerance at its academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The measures come in the wake of allegations of religious intolerance and coercion directed by evangelical Christians at the academy against Jews, Catholics and others. The measures, proposed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, were submitted to the House Rules Committee and the House Armed Services Committee last month by Rep. Steve Israel, a New York Democrat. Calls for the Air Force to take immediate action also have been issued by other Democrats, including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. Several Republican lawmakers are using the controversy as an opportunity to air the view that it is Christians whose constitutional free-speech rights are being suppressed in the military."