GOP's Controversial Education Bill Focused on Parental Oversight Clears House (Photo : Pixabay)
On Friday, the House approved a contentious bill designed to strengthen parental rights in classrooms, highlighting an issue that has become a top priority for House Republicans.
The Senate, however, is not expected to take up the bill, which Democrats criticize as an attempt to politicize classrooms. With a final vote of 213 to 208, five Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the bill.
The "Parents Bill of Rights Act," or H.R. 5, proposes amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to mandate that schools provide parents with lists of books and reading materials available in school libraries and make their curricula public. The bill would also require elementary and middle schools receiving federal funds to obtain parental consent before making changes to a minor child's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms or permitting a child to alter their sex-based accommodations, such as locker rooms or bathrooms.
Moreover, the legislation confirms parents' rights to address school boards and access information about violence in their child's school.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed that the Republican bill "will not see the light of day" in the Senate, labeling the legislation "Orwellian to the core" and a "school control bill." Schumer argued that the bill would strip power from parents, school districts, and educators and hand it over to elected politicians.
House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, remained optimistic after the vote, noting that Republicans lost five votes while Democrats lost none. "They don't want to ban books," he stated.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, in a post-vote news conference, argued that the bill asserts that "parents have a right to be heard" and should be able to attend school board meetings without being labeled terrorists.
Parental rights in education became a major political issue for Republicans during the Covid-19 pandemic as school closures, mask mandates, and vaccination requirements disrupted family routines and drew attention to school leadership. The issue gained traction for Republicans following Glenn Youngkin's victory over Democrat Terry McAuliffe in Virginia's 2021 gubernatorial election, which was centered around "parents' rights."
Republicans nationwide have used "parental rights" as a platform to limit discussions on race, gender identity, and sexuality in schools, claiming they are inappropriate for young children. However, opinions among parents vary widely on this issue. Critics argue that Republicans are turning classrooms into political battlegrounds and pushing a political agenda. LGBTQ rights advocates assert that the GOP's efforts are designed to stigmatize a vulnerable segment of society and could stifle crucial conversations.
