Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Republican Leader Burgess Owens (UT-04), Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (NC-05), and Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee Republican Leader Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) sent a letter to Committee Democrats expressing support for parental involvement in American education. In the letter, the Members call for hearings to address the impacts of pandemic school closures on children, evidence of inappropriate and divisive Critical Race Theory-inspired teaching, and sex and gender education in public schools.

“Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic deal a significant blow to in-person learning, but it also opened the door to inappropriate and divisive teachings and concerning curriculum, including Critical Race Theory,” said Rep. Owens. “Parents are irreplaceable advocates for their children, and we should address their genuine concerns while continuing to prioritize the development of students across America.”

“If we left it up to Democrats, kids would be masked, and parents would be muzzled forever,” said Republican Leader Foxx. “Luckily there are still freedom-loving Americans out there willing to fight for their rights. They are willing to fight for their right to make medical decisions for their kids as well as their right to decide what their kids are taught in schools. When parents say no to leftist indoctrination, school boards should start listening. It’s time to focus on issues parents care most about—closing the learning gap created by shuttering classrooms during the pandemic. We need to get our kids back on track academically. This should be our priority—not the left’s campaign to turn our kids into mini social justice warriors.”

“American parents have made it incredibly clear that they want to be involved in their children’s education, and they have every right to be,” said Rep. Murphy. “Study after study proves that our students thrive when parents play an integral role in our schools. I want parents to know that we have heard them loud and clear. It is far past time for Congress to take action, consider parents’ concerns, and engage in legislative hearings to discuss not only the short- and long-term impacts of pandemic school closures on our children, but also outline parent distress regarding demonstrated cases of CRT and inappropriate sex and gender indoctrination in schools. Parents are the arbiters of education in America, period. I call on our Democrat counterparts to make constituent concerns in education a bipartisan priority.”

Fox News carried the exclusive on this release. You can read the full letter here.

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