Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Vows to Pass Bill Requiring Ten Commandments in Texas Schools

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Vows to Pass Bill Requiring Ten Commandments in Texas Schools

AUSTIN — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made a bold declaration on Thursday, promising to push through a bill that would mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in Texas public school classrooms. This move comes in the wake of Louisiana signing similar legislation into law just the day before.

Expressing disappointment that Texas was not the first state to enact such a law, Patrick pointed to a bill introduced by state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, which made its way through the Senate in 2023 but ultimately stalled in the House.

In a social media post, Patrick expressed his frustration, blaming the House’s Republican leader for the delays that prevented Texas from taking the lead on this issue. The bill, known as Senate Bill 1515, was approved by a 17-12 vote in the Senate, with all Democrats in opposition. However, it failed to come up for a vote in the House before the deadline.

The proposed legislation would have required all public elementary and secondary schools to prominently display a 16-inch by 20-inch poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Sen. King justified the bill by citing a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that changed the legal landscape regarding the separation of church and state.

Patrick squarely placed the blame on House Speaker Dade Phelan, accusing him of allowing the bill to languish in committee and ensuring it would never reach the House floor for a vote. The Lt. Gov. criticized Phelan for prioritizing the wishes of Democrats over those of Texas Republicans.

The clash between Patrick and Phelan is part of a larger rift between the two leaders, exacerbated by Patrick’s endorsement of Phelan’s primary opponent earlier this year. Despite the tensions, Patrick has continued to champion legislation promoting religious displays in schools, arguing that it will help students become better Texans.

However, opponents of the bill argue that state-mandated displays infringe on the religious freedom of students. Caro Achar, engagement coordinator for free speech at the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, criticized the move as an attempt to impose government-sanctioned religion on young Texans.

As the debate over the role of religion in public schools continues, the future of the proposed legislation remains uncertain. Patrick’s determination to see the Ten Commandments displayed in Texas classrooms sets the stage for a contentious battle in the state legislature.