Gov. Greg Abbott: I signed law requiring Ten Commandments to be displayed in Texas classrooms

Gov. Greg Abbott said he signed a new state law this legislative session that "requires the 10 Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms." He made the announcement in a brief recorded statement in which he also recalled arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court two decades ago to defend a Ten Commandments monument at the Texas Capitol.

"Two decades ago, I argued at the United States Supreme Court to defend the 10 Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol," Abbott said. "Atheists had argued that the monument must be torn down. I said, not on my watch. On this day, 20 years ago, the Supreme Court agreed with me and that monument still stands today." He framed the classroom requirement as similarly enduring: "That law should stand just like the 10 Commandments monument at the Texas Capitol."

Abbott added that he would "always defend the historical connection between the 10 Commandments and their influence on the history of Texas." He closed the statement with a benediction: "May God bless you all and may God forever bless our great state of Texas."

The governor's remarks did not specify the bill number, the text of the law, or details about how the requirement will be implemented in public schools. The statement provides the governor's account of a Supreme Court decision and his signing of state legislation; it does not include comments from school officials, the Texas Legislature, the judiciary, or any groups that previously challenged the monument. Abbott identified himself on the recording as "governor Greg Abbott."