Iowa lawmakers want religious element in oath

A Republican member of the Iowa Legislature is proposing lawmakers should be required to say "so help me God" when being sworn into office.

Free-speech advocates say the proposal by Mount Auburn Rep. Dawn Pettengill goes against the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. American Civil Liberties Union legal director Randall Wilson says compelled speech violates the First Amendment just as much as censored speech.

Pettengill's resolution would change the Iowa Constitution.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines says he will talk with Republican leaders and fellow Democrats to see whether there would be any interest in pursuing the matter.

Pettengill dismisses concerns her proposal would offend lawmakers who may not believe in God. She says it's potentially offensive to her not to have the phrase in the oath.

-- Associated Press