Parents’ Bill of Rights in Schools Unsupported by Democrats
Republicans accuse Democrats of being extreme for opposing Parents’ Bill of Rights in schools, while Democrats accuse Republicans of wanting to ban books. (Photo: KTTC)
On Friday, Democratic and Republican leaders alternated, accusing the other party of being “extreme” after the House of Representatives passed the Parents Bill of Rights Act mostly along party lines.
Democrats accused the bill of promoting “fascism” and calling it “extreme,” claiming it would lead to book bans and the outing of LGBTQ+ students. The legislation received no Democratic votes, and after it passed, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters that the GOP was attempting to “jam their right-wing ideology down the throats of students, teachers, and parents throughout America.”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., also held a press conference with members of his party, criticizing Democrats for opposing the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
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Republicans claim their legislation reflects growing parental dissatisfaction with school curricula, safety and mask policies, and the prevalence of gender ideology and critical race theory in the classroom.
The Parents’ Bill of Rights Act would require school districts to provide parents with access to curriculum and reading lists and notify parents if school personnel begin encouraging or promoting their child’s gender transition.
Democrats see it as a slam against LGBTQ+ people. They contended that notifying parents if their child uses different pronouns or expresses themselves as another gender at school would “out” them before they are ready, causing harm.
Concerning book bans, the bill text states that parents would have the right to “a list of the books and other reading materials available in the library of their child’s school” and would be able to “inspect such books or other reading materials.” However, no legislative language requires schools to remove books from the library or create a list of banned books.
The Parents’ Bill of Rights Act will now be heard in the Senate, where Democrats have a majority. In the unlikely event that the bill is put to the vote and passes, President Biden will almost certainly side with his Democratic colleagues and veto it.
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