A bill in the Alabama House of Representatives would cause public schools lose funding if they do not implement a daily prayer. HB231, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, would hold local boards of education to a 25% budget reduction if found in violation of the proposed amendment.

Alabama lawmakers debated Wednesday whether to require schools to start their day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a Judeo-Christian prayer. If a school refuses, it could lose a quarter of its annual state funding.