'God' Vindicated On Capitol Hill

The acting architect of the Capitol announced Thursday he will alter long-standing guidelines to ensure the word "God" can be printed on dedications that accompany flags flown over the U.S. Capitol.

The move comes after Democrats and Republicans alike complained to the acting Architect, Stephen T. Ayers, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that the flag office was denying even the most basic reference to God in the dedications constituents request to accompany these flags. 

Long-standing guidelines to prohibit the use of overt political or religious speech in these dedications were codified in 2003, but the principle has been applied unevenly, according to a letter Rep. MIchael Turner (R-Ohio) sent Pelosi last week. More than 130 lawmakers signed the letter.

The new rules would put the onus for vetting these notes on the individual members whose offices sign off on these dedications and the requests for a flag.

"My review revealed that, in fact, these rules have been inconsistently applied and that it is inappropriate and beyond the scope of this agency's responsibilities to censor messages from members,"
Ayers said in a statement Thursday.