Breaking! Court Rules In 10 Commandments Case by Approving Law Authors/Texas Values Amicus Brief
Austin, TX – December 31, 2025: Today, the federal appeals court approved the filing of Texas Values friend of the court “amicus brief” on behalf of Texas State Senator Phil King and Texas State Representative Candy Noble (the legislators who filed and championed the passage of the Texas Ten Commandments law in 2025) supporting the Texas Ten Commandments law at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The legal amicus brief was filed on December 23rd, last week, but the ACLU had opposed the filing of the brief (which is highly unusual in such cases) requiring the court to issue an order on this matter specifically. The legal amicus brief filed by Texas Values can be found here.
It is now an official part of the case and is even more important since we are representing the bill authors within the brief.
Texas Values Attorney Jonathan Saenz released the following quote:
“It is an honor to represent the Texas Ten Commandment law authors Senator Phil King and Representative Candy Noble in this important friend of the court (amicus) legal brief supporting this important law in court. We trust that the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will agree with the historical and traditional value of the Ten Commandments and allow the law to stand.”
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans will hear the Texas Ten Commandments case brought by the ACLU on January 20, 2026. Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi make up what is considered the 5th Circuit. The entire court of 17 active judges will decide this case. Members of the Texas Values law and policy team will be present at the court hearing in New Orleans on January 20, 2026.
Senator Phil King, Senate Author of the Texas Ten Commandments Law, stated:
“The goal of Texas 10 Commandments law is to restore the historical tradition of recognizing our national heritage, reminding students of a fundamental foundation of American and Texas law – the Ten Commandments. I am confident the federal appeals court will allow this law to stand.”
Representative Candy Noble, House Author of the Texas Ten Commandments Law, stated:
“The Ten Commandments in public schools restores us to a standard we had for many years before; displaying important symbols and documents that are foundational to the creation and development of law, policy and culture in America. I am proud to show my continued support of this law in this important legal brief before the federal appeals court.”
Texas Values Attorney Jonathan Saenz was present at the court hearing when Judge Fred Biery ruled against the law in August. The federal district court decision by Judge Biery can be found here. The legal amicus brief Texas Values filed in the lower courts can be found here.
This court case only applies to a few school districts in Texas (25). (Alamo Heights Independent School District, North East Independent School District, Lackland Independent School District, Austin Independent School District, Northside Independent School District, Lake Travis Independent School District, Dripping Springs Independent School District, Houston Independent School District, Fort Bend Independent School District, Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, and Plano Independent School District.) The remaining 1,175 school districts in Texas have the freedom to display the Ten Commandments posters in classrooms without fear of persecution.
Texas Values was one of the leading organizations working for the passage of SB 10, the Texas Ten Commandments legislation, and stands shoulder to shoulder with partner organizations such as First Liberty Institute prepared to defend SB 10 against any court challenges brought against it. You can find a copy of our legal amicus brief here. To learn more, visit TenCommandmentsTexas.com.
Texas Values law and policy team members are available for comment. To set up an interview, please email Ashley at media@txvalues.org or call 737-314-2450 (m).
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About Texas Values
Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.