Education

This bill prohibits federal funding for elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions that promote specific "race-based theories" outlined in the law. It bans schools from requiring students or teachers to affirm beliefs such as: "any race is inherently superior," "the U.S. is fundamentally racist," "foundational documents are racist," or "individuals bear racial guilt." Schools may still teach these theories in educational contexts if clearly labeled as non-endorsed, and the law explicitly protects research access and outside speech. The restrictions apply only to federally funded schools, not private or non-funded education settings.

H.J. Res. 41 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a Department of Education rule governing the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program. The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 7, 2024, established specific requirements for distributing federal grants to support student success at colleges and universities. This resolution, if passed, would use the Congressional Review Act to nullify the rule, making it unenforceable and halting its implementation. The bill directly affects the Department of Education's ability to administer the grant program under the terms of the rule.

S 2428, the STUDENT Act, amends the federal charter of the National Education Association (NEA) to restrict its political activities and membership practices. It requires NEA members (public school teachers) to explicitly consent to dues payments (banning payroll deductions), prohibits the NEA from engaging in political lobbying or supporting candidates, and bans advocacy of specific concepts like critical race theory or antisemitic beliefs. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress and prohibits strikes by NEA-affiliated staff in public schools. These provisions directly affect the NEA’s operations and its members’ financial and political engagement.

HJRES 33 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule that aimed to expand the E-Rate Program to address the "homework gap" by improving school internet access. The resolution invokes a federal process (under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to disapprove the FCC's specific rule, which was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024. If passed, this resolution would prevent the FCC rule from taking effect, directly affecting the implementation of E-Rate Program upgrades for schools and libraries. The measure does not create new policy but halts an existing FCC rule through congressional disapproval.

This bill would terminate the U.S. Department of Education by October 1, 2026, and transfer its education-related functions to other federal agencies. It would move K-12 education programs to the Office of Education within Health and Human Services, student loans to the Treasury Department, vocational education to the Labor Department, and civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department. The bill also specifies that certain education programs would be terminated after October 1, 2036, and includes provisions to ensure continuity of existing grants, contracts, and legal proceedings during the transition. It directly affects federal education programs, agencies handling education funding, and recipients of education-related grants and services.

S 2702 requires K-12 schools receiving federal funds to obtain parental consent before accommodating students' gender identity expressions that differ from their biological sex. It prohibits schools from hiding such information from parents, encouraging students to conceal gender identity concerns, or facilitating referrals for gender transition procedures without consent. Schools must publicly post compliance policies and provide written policies to families, with violations allowing parents to sue for injunctive relief, attorney fees, and compensation for "harm" from gender transition treatments. The bill directly affects school districts, staff, and families of students under 18, mandating parental involvement in decisions about gender identity accommodations.