P.A. Lawmaker Refuses To Say The Pledge Because It's A "Prayer"

10.04.12 | Sarah Harnisch

A Pennsylvania lawmaker refused to say the Pledge of Allegience at a house meeting Wednesday.  The most conservative member of the state House and the most liberal member of the house got into it yesterday, after Republican Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-butler) asked State Representative Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) to say the pledge. Josephs said she hasn't said the pledge since the words "Under God" were added in 1954. She said "how many years ago was 1954? I have not said the Pledge of Allegience since, and I will not say it in the future. Unless they take it out and make it less of a prayer."  Metcalfe says it's her first amendment right, but says "I think it's still shocking that any elected official would not say the Pledge of Allegience to our flag." Babette Josephs is in the final weeks of a 28 year legislative career. She lost her primary in April.