This week, the House will vote on one of Republicans’ top priorities. The Parents Bill of Rights (H.R. 5) sponsored by Representative Julia Letlow (R-LA) will ensure that parents have access to what their children are learning in public education and be able to voice their concerns without being silenced. This seems like an issue in which we all can find common ground, right? Unfortunately, the left is opposing it and politicizing these important changes.
With 122 cosponsors (all Republican), H.R. 5 has strong support in the House. The reforms are based on five principles:
- Parents have the right to know what’s being taught.
- Parents have the right to be heard.
- Parents have the right to see the school budget and spending.
- Parents have the right to protect their child’s privacy.
- Parents have the right to be updated on any violent activity at school.
The Parents Bill of Rights protects the privacy, education, and autonomy of children by allowing parents access to what they are learning. Instead of keeping parents in the dark, schools will be required to provide a list of books and curricula, documentation of budget and spending, and notification of violent activity. Parents’ rights to object or consent to technology use, vaccinations, physical or mental exams, and data-collecting surveys are protected. Additionally, the bill prevents data collection of student information from being sold to third-party companies.
The White House released an odd statement in opposition. The statement reads in full:
The Administration does not support H.R. 5 in its current form because the bill does not actually help parents support their children at school. Moreover, instead of making LGBTQI+ students feel included in their school community, it puts them at higher risk. The Administration strongly supports actions that empower parents to engage with their children’s teachers and schools, like enabling parents to take time off to attend school meetings. Legislation should not politicize our children’s education. It should deliver the resources that schools and families actually need.
This sentiment is tone-deaf at best. The issues that parents are concerned about are directly related to their children. When they voice these problems, even if they had to take time off work to attend a school meeting, they are met with hostility, name-calling, banishment, and lawsuits. Clearly, the left has made no attempt to understand the serious issues that are negatively affecting students and their families.
Yet, Democrats want to introduce a counter bill. Instead of reaching across the aisle and talking with parents in their districts, they are drafting legislation based on their narrow knowledge of this situation. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the Bill of Rights for Students and Parents (H.Res. 219) shortly after H.R. 5 was marked up in committee. Dozens of teachers’ unions and liberal education organizations came out in support. This resolution lacks any protections for students and their parents. It is simply a messaging statement that promotes “diversity, equity, and inclusion” including the use of pronouns and extracurricular activities based on students’ concept of “their whole selves.”
Fortunately (and with the help of many Eagle Forum chapters), many states have already taken action to protect parents and children with state parental rights bills. Currently, fifteen states have enacted such legislation. Six states have passed resolutions urging their legislatures to do the same. Supporting the rights of parents in education is also a winning issue politically. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin flipped the state to red by focusing on parental rights. Florida Gov. Ron Desantis received immense praise for signing his state’s parental rights bill. Parents across the nation are speaking up and being heard!
Eagle Forum has alerted the House that we support H.R. 5 and will score in favor of final passage. Members will likely vote on the amendment and final passage by Friday, March 24th. Please join us by taking action to contact your representative through our website here.