Should an elected official use any text other than the traditional use of the Bible
Steve Dedmon, newly elected House of Representative to the U.S. Congress from
Florida, who is a Muslim, has ignited debate across the country because he has expressed
his desire to use the Qur’an as the book on which he will pledge or affirm his allegiance
to do his duty as a representative, as opposed to the traditional use of the Bible. He
wishes to place his left hand on two18th century volumes of the Qur’an formally owned
by Thomas Jefferson now archived in the Library of Congress. He has now come to you
seeking your legal opinion on the Constitutional controversy raised by this issue and the
possibility of filing a lawsuit, as there is a House Rule that addresses his wanting to use
the Qur’an.
House Rule 1.01: The only text recognized by the House for the swearing in of newly
elected members is the Bible. Should an elected official use any text other than the Bible
this honorable House will not officially recognize him/her in their capacity as a House
member and they will be barred from serving in any matters associated with the official
functions of this honorable body. *
Your research of this issue has lead you to the case of Powell ET AL v. McCormack.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, ET AL, 395 U.S. 486.
Florida Statute: 316.1932
(1)(a)1.a. Any person who accepts the privilege extended by the laws of this state of
operating a motor vehicle within this state is, by so operating such vehicle, deemed to
have given his or her consent to submit to an approved chemical test or physical test
including…
A nonresident…have expressed his or her consent to the provisions of this section.
Note the "ANY PERSON" and nonresident parts!
Based on the United States Constitution and the case identify and discuss the legal
issues raised in the question and answered by both the Constitution and what the
Supreme Court says in the Powell case and its relevance to the issue facing Mr. Dedmon.
Address “ALL” (including parts we did not discuss in class as I want to do my best
to insure you have read the entire Constitution) of the Constitutional issues your client
faces, and Constitutional defenses available to your him
Answer preview:
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