Let the Constitution be the Constitution

It’s hard to imagine why anyone might vigorously oppose doing away with an antiquated law that prevents citizens of this nation from standing on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives while wearing something on their head that reflects their commitment to serving a Higher Power and their faith in the Creator.

Unless, of course, you consider that many of the same backwards-thinking ideas that propelled businessman Donald Trump into the nation’s highest seat have always been a part of U.S. politics and culture.

It was widely reported last week that Democratic lawmakers are seeking to update a 181-year-old rule banning head coverings on the House floor to allow for a constitutionally-guaranteed religious exemption.

It’s hard to believe that this rule is still on the books. Again, unless you consider that while Congress today is more racially and culturally diverse than it ever has been, it remains a bastion of white supremacy. A bastion controlled and dominated by wealthy white males throughout the course of U.S. history.

The rule, first implemented in 1837, states that every member shall remain “uncovered” during the sessions of the House. Current rules of comportment prohibit members of the House from wearing a “hat.” The new rule would clarify that religious head coverings, including Muslim head scarves (hijab), are not included in this ban.

The Associated Press reported that the rule change was proposed by former House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Congresswoman-elect Ilhan Omar (D-MN). When she is sworn in next year, Omar will become the first member of Congress to wear hijab.

“We support the effort to update this anachronistic policy and to bring the House of Representatives into conformity with the Constitution and its existing protection of religious freedom,” CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement last week. “Islamic head coverings, Sikh turbans, Jewish yarmulkes, and Mennonite bonnets are all expressions of religious belief and are therefore already protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which states that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’”

While these efforts are taking place in the wake of Democrats regaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives, it should be noted that the Trump administration has made no secret of its disdain for a list of Muslim countries it has sought to ban from entering the United States since he was elected and his continued claims that Muslims are trying to enter the country illegally as part of the caravan traveling north toward the southern border of the U.S.

At the very least, Democrats and media organizations need to ensure that President Trump isn’t allowed to make the issue of head coverings on the House floor a major distraction that takes the nation’s attention away from other notable issues like gun control, U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, future Supreme Court nominations and allegations of Russia tampering with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

This article originally published in the November 26, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.