Current:Home > MarketsOklahoma amends request for Bibles that initially appeared to match only version backed by Trump-InfoLens
Oklahoma amends request for Bibles that initially appeared to match only version backed by Trump
View Date:2024-12-23 15:10:46
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma has amended its request for 55,000 Bibles to be placed in public schools that initially matched a version of the holy book endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
The request was amended Monday and no longer requires the Bibles to include U.S. historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution — requirements that match the “God Bless the USA Bible” that Trump endorsed this year and that are several times more expensive than similar Bibles that don’t include the U.S. documents.
The new request says the historical documents may be included together or separately and extends the deadline for offers to supply the items by one week, from Oct. 14 to Oct. 21.
The request is part of State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ efforts to require Bibles in public school classrooms, which has been met with resistance by some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts.
Walters, in a Monday video on X, said the Bible will be used “because of its historical significance throughout this nation’s history,” blaming what he called the “fake news media” for lies about the program.
“The left-wing media hates Donald Trump so much, and they hate the Bible so much, they will lie and go to any means necessary to stop this initiative from happening,” Walters said.
Walters’ spokesperson, Dan Issett, said in a statement that the changes to the “request for proposal,” or RFP, were suggested by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which issues the requests and were agreed to by Walters.
“Unfortunately, there have been false reports that have been repeated by numerous, supposedly credible, news organizations that the state’s RFP was catered to one specific organization,” Issett said, noting that tailoring the request so that only one manufacturer’s Bible would qualify would be illegal.
Christa Helfrey, a spokesperson for OMES, said the changes were made to the request to try to save taxpayer money.
“OMES worked with OSDE to amend the solicitation to provide the listed resources at a much better value to Oklahomans,” Helfrey said.
The initial request included requirements that are not commonly found in Bibles but are included in the “God Bless the USA Bible,” which Trump urged his supporters to begin buying earlier this year at a website that sells the book for $59.99.
The Bibles must be bound in “leather or leather-like material for durability,” according to the initial request.
Similar Bibles that don’t include the Declaration of Independence or Constitution are available online for less than $20.
veryGood! (28246)
Related
- Francesca Farago Details Health Complications That Led to Emergency C-Section of Twins
- BeatKing, Houston Rapper Also Known as Club Godzilla, Dead at 39
- General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor's Death: Authorities Arrest 4 People in Connection to Fatal Shooting
- West Virginia’s personal income tax to drop by 4% next year, Gov. Justice says
- Why have wildfires been erupting across the East Coast this fall?
- Colorado man charged with strangling teen who was goofing around at In-N-Out Burger
- South Carolina man suing Buc-ee's says he was injured by giant inflatable beaver: Lawsuit
- Escaped inmate convicted of murder captured in North Carolina hotel after dayslong manhunt
- 5-year-old boy who went missing while parent was napping is found dead near Oregon home, officials say
- Evers’ transportation secretary will resign in September to take job at UW-Madison
Ranking
- Appeals Court Affirms Conviction of Everglades Scientist Accused of Stealing ‘Trade Secrets’
- Virginia attorney general denounces ESG investments in state retirement fund
- ESPN fires football analyst Robert Griffin III and host Samantha Ponder, per report
- Australian Breakdancer Raygun Addresses “Devastating” Criticism After 2024 Olympics
- 32-year-old Maryland woman dies after golf cart accident
- Evers’ transportation secretary will resign in September to take job at UW-Madison
- Olympic Runner Noah Lyles Reveals He Grew Up in a “Super Strict” Cult
- Does Micellar Water Work As Dry Shampoo? I Tried the TikTok Hack and These Are My Results
Recommendation
-
Contained, extinguished and mopping up: Here’s what some common wildfire terms mean
-
A planned float in NYC’s India Day Parade is anti-Muslim and should be removed, opponents say
-
Trader Joe's recalls over 650,000 scented candles due to fire hazard
-
Will the Cowboy State See the Light on Solar Electricity?
-
Minnesota county to pay $3.4M to end lawsuit over detainee’s death
-
Everything at Old Navy Is 40% off! Build Your Fall Fit with $20 Jeans, $7 Tops, $17 Dresses & More
-
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars announce joint single 'Die with a Smile'
-
Florida school psychologist charged with possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material