Austin, USA - The Texas House voted today to inject a little religion into the Texas pledge.
House lawmakers voted 124-to-5 to put the words "under God" in the Texas pledge of allegiance recited by thousands of school children every day.
The change mirrors the national pledge, which has included "under God" since 1954.
The bill still needs a final vote later today before it is sent to the Senate.
Critics of the measure say it could infringe on the religious beliefs of some students.
Bill sponsor Representative Debbie Riddle, a Republican from Tomball, rejects that argument and says adding the words is "common sense."
In 2003, the Legislature required public school students to say the U-S and Texas pledges and observe a minute of silence each day.
A student may be excused from saying the pledges if a parent or guardian makes a written request.
Under the bill, the Texas pledge would be: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God and indivisible."