This week, the House passed H.R. 2616, the Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their Kids Act, also called the PROTECT Kids Act.
The Act was passed by a vote of 217–198, with only eight House Democrats voting for the bill.
H.R. 2616 requires public elementary and middle schools that receive federal funding (under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) to obtain explicit parental consent before changing a student’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school records/forms.
Further, it also prohibits the use of federal funds to teach or advance “gender ideology.”
Despite protecting parents’ rights and their ability to protect their own children, only EIGHT Democrats voted for the bill.
Walberg spoke on the floor in support of the bill saying, “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2616, Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act. For years, concerned parents have felt ignored as education bureaucrats push radical agendas in schools without their knowledge or input. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when kitchen tables became classrooms, Parents got a firsthand look at what was really being taught. What many saw raised serious concerns.”
“Instead of focusing on basics like math and reading, many teachers and schools were introducing controversial lessons on gender ideology and pronouns, all while student achievement plummeted and continues to this day. In the years since, those concerns have eroded parental rights.”
“Schools— schools are facilitating gender transitions or encouraging students to change their names and pronouns without telling parents. These are enormously consequential decisions that have lasting impacts on a child’s well-being and development. Parents deserve to be part of those conversations.”
“One study from Defending Education found that at least 21,000 schools across the United States have policies that allow or encourage staff to hide a student’s name change or gender identity. This lack of transparency risks confusion, undermines trust, and weakens the essential partnership between families and schools. It also places teachers in a difficult position, sometimes expecting them to withhold information from parents or be less than fully transparent.”
“These policies are incredibly harmful to children and families. In fact, we’re now seeing a wealth of data to prove that children and teenagers who seek out drastic, life-altering medical procedures often struggle with mental health issues now and beyond.”
Source: The Gateway Pundit
