The veterans organization, the American Legion, is behind the push to stop taxpayers money going to the ACLU. Many of the ACLU's legal agenda includes fighting against monuments and other public displays that display any religious symbol.
Joe March, director of public relations for the American Legion, said the legislation "would amend or revise the Civil Rights Act, in terms of eliminating the ability of judges to award attorney's fees, in cases where there is litigation brought against religious symbols in this country … and things such as the Boy Scouts and public seals."
"Not only are organizations like the ACLU and others taking action against our American values, our religious symbols, our heritage and veterans memorials, but then if they are successful in the process, then they are having the courts award them tax dollars in attorney's fees even though they are organizations that work pro bono," March told Cybercast News Service on Thursday.
The legal organizations defending citizens against the cases brought on by the ACLU never receive payment form taxpayers.
Some U.S. senators this week have heard testimony from both sides on a piece of legislation that would strip legal fees from church-state lawsuits. Such legal victories, often described as "Establishment Clause" cases, have provided the American Civil Liberties Union with millions of dollars in profits as it pursues numerous cases challenging public displays of religious belief in America.
The Public Expressions of Religion Act (PERA) (S. 3696) was the topic of discussion at hearings on Wednesday (August 2) before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights. The U.S. House is considering similar legislation (H.R. 2679) that is sponsored by Indiana Congressman John Hostettler. Brownback has made it clear in recent weeks that if groups like the ACLU want to sue city after city for displays of religious images, it should be on their own dime — not at taxpayers' expense. (Agape Press)