In God We Trust Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
- Committees
- Environment and Public Works Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 9, 2025
Bottom line
This bill seeks to reinforce the national motto's visibility on federal property, potentially sparking debate over the separation of church and state and the use of public funds.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the Administrator of General Services (GSA) display or inscribe the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust," in a prominent location on every federal public building. The GSA is required to implement this within one year of the bill's enactment.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill reaffirms a foundational aspect of American heritage and national identity, promoting patriotism and acknowledging the historical and cultural significance of the motto. They may see it as a benign expression of national sentiment that has long been upheld by courts.
Opponents contend
Opponents may contend that this bill blurs the lines between church and state, potentially alienating citizens who do not subscribe to a religious belief or who adhere to different faiths. They might argue it constitutes a government endorsement of religion, violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, and represents an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money.
The bill itself is extremely short and can be read in under a minute, allowing ample time for public consideration of its implications.
Section 2(b)
Mandatory Display of National Motto on Federal Buildings
This provision requires the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to ensure that the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust," is either inscribed or prominently displayed on every federal public building. The GSA is given one year from the bill's enactment date to implement this requirement across all applicable buildings.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that displaying the national motto prominently on federal buildings reinforces a cherished aspect of American heritage and national identity. They believe it serves as a reminder of the nation's historical and cultural foundations, promoting a sense of unity and patriotism among citizens.
Critics contend
Critics contend that mandating the display of "In God We Trust" on all federal buildings could be perceived as a government endorsement of religion, potentially violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. They argue it may alienate non-believers or adherents of other faiths, creating an environment where some citizens feel excluded by their own government.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire to publicly affirm a national motto with concerns about maintaining strict separation of church and state and ensuring inclusivity for all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. It also involves a tradeoff between symbolic expression and the allocation of public resources for implementation.
Defines "public building" by referencing section 3301(a) of title 40, United States Code.
Section 2(a)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative drafting practice to avoid redundancy and ensure consistency with existing legal definitions. It is not intended to be evasive.
Case for: Referencing existing definitions streamlines legislation and ensures legal consistency, preventing new, potentially conflicting definitions from being created.
Case against: For a lay reader, requiring external lookup makes the bill less immediately self-contained and harder to fully comprehend without additional research.
Estimated impact: The impact is that the mandate applies to a broad range of federally owned or leased buildings, including courthouses, post offices, and administrative offices, as defined in 40 U.S.C. 3301(a).
Specifies the "national motto of the United States, as described in section 302 of title 36, United States Code."
Section 2(b)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative drafting practice to avoid redundancy and ensure consistency with existing legal definitions. It is not intended to be evasive.
Case for: Referencing the existing codification of the national motto ensures accuracy and avoids any potential for misinterpretation or alteration of the established motto.
Case against: A reader unfamiliar with Title 36 of the U.S. Code might not immediately know the exact wording of the national motto without looking it up, though it is widely known.
Estimated impact: The impact is that the specific phrase "In God We Trust" is the one mandated for display, as codified in 36 U.S.C. 302.