Republican members of the Florida congressional delegation are backing U.S. Rep. Jefferson Van Drew’s, R-NJ, “My Child, My Choice Act.”
The proposal “requires a teacher to get written consent from parents any time a lesson on gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender studies is to be taught” and Van Drew’s office offered some of the details.
“If more than 50 percent of a class does not consent, the lesson may not be taught,” the congressman’s office noted. “If less than 50 percent do not consent, the school must provide those students whose parents did not consent with an alternative period of learning. Students, parents, and teachers can submit a report to the Secretary of Education anytime an infringement of this policy occurs. If the Secretary determines the school/teacher did not comply with the requirements of this bill, the school will be stripped of the following school year’s federal funding.”
More than a dozen Republicans co-sponsored the bill including U.S. Reps. Carlos Gimenez, Bill Posey, Greg Steube and Dan Webster from Florida.
“Enough is enough – parents are tired of the government interjecting itself into their child’s education in an attempt to teach children intimate and inappropriate subject matter with no parental input,” said Van Drew. “In my home state of New Jersey, policies are being put forward that students may use any ‘restroom, locker room, or changing facility in accordance with their gender identity.’ This is threatening the safety and security of our young children. We must protect our nation’s youth and ensure they are learning subjects critical to their development, not leftist ideologies.”
“Parents have the fundamental responsibility and right to care for, raise and educate their children,” said Webster on Monday. “I have fought to empower mothers and fathers to have a voice in their child’s education and upbringing. I will continue to strongly support every parent’s right to determine the best educational curriculum, learning path, and school to meet their children’s needs without government interference. This bill reinstates authority where it rightfully belongs – with parents.”
“Parents have had enough. Schools have no place indoctrinating our children about gender identity, sexual orientation, and transgenderism,” said Steube. “It should have never started in the first place, but since these teachings are becoming increasingly prevalent in schools across America, I’m glad to cosponsor legislation that will withhold federal funds from any school who tries to override parental rights by teaching these topics without permission.”
The bill was sent to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate. With Democrats in control of both chambers of Capitol Hill, the bill is not expected to pass.
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