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() Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is encouraging schools in his state “to implement dedicated time for prayer and the reading of scripture,” according to a Sept. 2 press release.
The announcement follows the recent enactment of Senate Bill 11 in Texas on Sept. 1, allowing “school boards to adopt policies setting aside time for voluntary prayer and the reading of the Bible or other religious texts,” according to the release.
The bill directs the Attorney General’s office to “defend any school district or charter school that adopts such a policy,” according to the release.
Paxton is encouraging schools to commence the “legal process” of bringing prayer to the classroom.
“In Texas classrooms, we want the Word of God opened, the Ten Commandments displayed, and prayers lifted up,” Paxton said in a post on X.
Paxton is squaring off against Sen. John Cornyn in the upcoming Texas Senate primary race. The two have repeatedly traded shots on social media as the lead-up to the March primaries intensifies.
“There you go again. Ten Commandments for thee, but not for me, eh, Ken?” Cornyn said in response to Paxton, in a post on X.
So far, Cornyn is one of three sitting Republican senators running for reelection who have not received a presidential endorsement, according to the Texas Tribune.
Paxton’s announcement follows a broader push by Texas Republicans to integrate religion into public schools.
In May, Texas Senate Bill 10 was enacted, requiring schools to put the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The bill has faced legal scrutiny and is being challenged by families of students around the state.