Mt. Soledad Vistory on Capitol Hill

There was an important legislative victory in Congress to keep the Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego.  The House passed a bill that would transfer the land beneath San Diego's Mount Soledad cross to the federal government.

There was wide bi-partisan support and the measure cleared overwhelmingly with a vote of 349-74.  The House members voted to seize the land and give it to the Defense Department in an effort to avoid a court-ordered removal of the cross.

At the same time, legal appeals continue both at the federal and state level.  As you may recall, the ACLJ represents 22 members of Congress - including the sponsor of the legislation that cleared the House today - California Congressman Duncan Hunter.  The ACLJ filed an amicus brief at the Supreme Court of the United States supporting the city of San Diego's request for the high court to get involved.  That's exactly what happened.  In fact, Justice Kennedy extended the stay initially ordered by the high court - giving the legal appeals time to unfold.

In addition to the legal avenues being explored, the passage of Congressman Hunter's bill is an important victory.  The memorial cross serves a legitimate secular purpose of commemorating our nation's war dead and veterans, said Duncan Hunter.

Therefore, the display of the Mount Soledad cross on federal property is constitutional.

The bill, H.R. 5683, would allow the cross to remain on Mount Soledad by giving title of the memorial to the federal government and having it administered by the Secretary of Defense.  It now goes to the Senate for consideration.  President Bush has indicated he will sign it if it clears Congress.

We will keep you updated on developments on this critical issue.