Federal Buildings Must Display 'In God We Trust' Within One Year: What It Means for Taxpayers

The aptly named "In God We Trust Act" is short and to the point: it mandates that the national motto of the United States be prominently inscribed or displayed on every single federal public building.

The New Rule for Federal Real Estate

This bill tasks the Administrator of General Services (GSA)—the agency that manages federal property—with making sure this happens. They have a tight deadline: one year from the day this bill becomes law to get the motto up on every building. The definition of a “public building” here isn’t new; it just uses the existing definition in the U.S. Code (section 3301(a) of title 40), which covers everything from federal courthouses and post offices to agency headquarters and leased spaces. Basically, if the government is using it for business, it’s probably covered.

The Practical Cost of Prominence

While the bill is straightforward, the real-world impact comes down to logistics and cost. We’re talking about potentially thousands of buildings across the country, ranging from massive, historic structures to small, leased offices. The GSA will need to figure out what “prominently displayed” means in each context. Does it mean a plaque, a carving, or a sign? This isn't just about printing a few posters; it’s about procurement, installation, maintenance, and potentially architectural changes for permanent inscriptions. Every dollar spent on this project—be it for installing a new granite plaque at a customs building or updating signage at a local IRS office—is a dollar coming out of the federal budget, paid for by taxpayers. The financial burden could be substantial, depending on how aggressively the GSA interprets the mandate.

More Than Just Signage

For most people, this change might just mean seeing the motto more often when they visit a federal building, like the post office or the VA clinic. However, this mandate, even though it deals with an established national motto, touches on a sensitive area: the separation of church and state. While courts have generally upheld the motto's use, mandating its display on every federal property raises concerns for individuals who view it as an endorsement of religion by the government. The bill creates a clear, measurable action item for the GSA, but it also sets the stage for potential challenges regarding the scope and manner of the display, particularly if the implementation feels heavy-handed or inconsistent across different types of federal facilities.