Taking down student painting violated First Amendment, lawmaker claims in lawsuit

A U.S. congressman is filing a federal lawsuit alleging that the constitutional rights of a Missouri man were violated when the Architect of the Capitol ordered the removal of his painting from a congressional display.

Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., announced Monday that he is suing Stephen Ayers, Architect of the U.S. Capitol, in response to the "arbitrary and unconstitutional" removal of a painting created by former St. Louis student David Pulphus.