This week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a proposal that would “prohibit federal funding to promote divisive concepts, such as Critical Race Theory, under the priorities outlined in the U.S. Department of Education’s American History and Civics Education program.”
Rubio brought out the “Protect Equality and Civics Education (PEACE) Act,” a bill that would codify the Trump administration’s definition of ‘divisive concepts’ as defined in the Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” at the start of the week. U.S. Sens. Mike Braun, R-Ind., and Kevin Cramer, R-ND, are co-sponsoring the measure. U.S. Reps. Madison Cawthorn, R-NC, and Virginia Foxx, R-NC, are championing the bill in the U.S. House.
“The story of our nation is under attack as the radical left continues to attempt to rewrite American history and categorize our citizens into an oppressor and oppressed class,” Rubio said. “This is not only inaccurate, it is dangerous. I will not allow American students to be subjected to propaganda that seeks to divide and indoctrinate future generations into believing that some individuals are inherently racist solely due to the color of their skin.”
“Critical Race Theory is antithetical to the American ideal that all are created equal. It should never be endorsed, much less funded by the Department of Education,” Cramer said. “Our bill would stop federal taxpayer dollars from being used to promote Critical Race Theory and protect our students from these divisive and misguided teachings.”
“Critical Race Theory teaches young people to distrust each other at a time when this country needs unification more than ever,” Braun said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on this measure that aims to protect our children by keeping divisive political agendas out of our schools.”
The bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Rubio has been active on the matter in recent weeks. At the end of last month, Rubio introduced a proposal which “would direct the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to investigate parent and/or student complaints against the use of curriculum, teaching, and counseling that promote divisive concepts and foster racially-hostile school environments.”
Rubio’s “Protecting Students From Racial Hostility Act” has the support of Braun and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.
“The legislation would require OCR to enforce Title VI protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when a complaint is brought forward by parents or students impacted by critical race theory curriculum. In order to increase transparency and enforcement, the legislation would require OCR to provide an annual report to Congress on the nature of these complaints, and report complaints to state attorneys general offices,” Rubio’s office noted.
“Critical race theory is Marxist-inspired indoctrination and has absolutely no place in our schools,” Rubio said when he introduced the bill. “Teaching students that they are innately part of an oppressor class or oppressed class is part of the Left’s radical agenda to rewrite the history of America. We need to protect students and parents who are willing to stand up to critical race theory and the profound repercussions it has on our schools.”
Rubio is also backing the “Stop Critical Race Theory Act” and the “Combating Racist Training in the Military Act” from U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com
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