Congressional Republicans Introduce Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act
CV NEWS FEED // Two senators and a congresswoman on Wednesday introduced twin bills that seek to codify the “right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children as a fundamental right.”
Sens. James Lankford, R-OK, and Tim Scott, R-SC, introduced the “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act” in the upper chamber.
Meanwhile, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-NC, introduced the legislation in the House, where she was joined by nine co-sponsors: Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL, Byron Donalds, R-FL, Jeff Duncan, R-SC, Tony Gonzales, R-TX, Clay Higgins, R-LA, Jake LaTurner, R-KS, Mary Miller, R-IL, John Rose, R-TN, and Randy Weber, R-TX.
The texts of the House and Senate bills appear to be identical.
“Parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their child, whether it’s in the classroom or at home,” Scott said in an interview with The Daily Caller. “Yet, far too often, parents are being pushed out of their child’s lives, and kids are paying the price.”
“I’m fighting to put parents back in the driver’s seat and ensure they remain the lead decision maker in their child’s life,” added the senator and former presidential candidate.
The legislation comes following several years of debate over the role of parents in children’s education.
Some Democratic politicians and teachers union bosses have recently made the argument that the education industry should largely control what schoolchildren learn – and parents should have a limited role in the matter, if any.
Foxx serves as the chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
“Congress finds the following,” states the text of both bills:
The nature of the parent-child relationship endows parents with the primary responsibility and obligation to care for their child.
From these responsibilities and obligations comes the pre-political, natural right of parents to care for their children.
The role of parents in the raising and rearing of their children is of inestimable value and deserving of both praise and protection by all levels of government.
The bills go on to list a series of instances throughout American history in which the Supreme Court upheld parental rights.
“Government should not interfere in the decisions and actions of parents without compelling Justification,” the legislation adds.
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