Bill advanced to undo Nebraska ban on religious garb in classroom

A bill to undo Nebraska's ban on public schoolteachers wearing religious garb in the classroom advanced in the Legislature on Wednesday with overwhelming support.

Supporters of the repeal questioned the ban's constitutionality, and said states shouldn't impede free exercise of religion as long as it isn't forced upon others.

The repeal's only opponent was Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, who relinquished his one-man blockade of the bill after nearly two full mornings of debate, allowing it to advance to a second round of consideration.

"I speak panther. You all speak mouse," he told fellow senators at one point. "I speak the language of the solitary dweller, like a mountain lion. You all speak the language of lemming."

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