Since the permit for a 57-year-old statue of Jesus will be re-authorized, a congressman says the legality of the figure may ultimately be decided in court."Freedom From Religion, they're threatening they're going to file a lawsuit. I think they're wrong, but we can't control them," he notes. "We'll try and respond and answer in any way we possibly can, but 95,000 people sent comments in, and the majority of those were in favor of leaving [the statue] where it is, allowing the opportunity for the Jesus statue to stay in place and honor the veterans it was intended to honor."
Rehberg canceled a Friday hearing for a proposed bill to rectify the situation, but that could be ramped up again if FFRF files its federal suit."What it does is it exchanges a 25-foot-by-25-foot parcel for a federal property somewhere else so they can stay in the same location," he explains. "So it would be a land swap. At the same time, we'll continue working on the historical registry. If it does go to court, it could end up being tied up in court for an extended period of time. I hope the judge will just throw it out."
Meanwhile the Montana representative is continuing to receive comments from supporters of the monument, and he says that will be helpful in resolving the situation.
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