See below for press releases from Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10)’s and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04)’s office on their votes against the latest legislative abomination from House Republicans – HR5, ” extreme legislation that promotes federal censorship of elementary and secondary education and threatens to strip critical funding from our public schools.”
Wexton Votes Against Extreme Legislation to Censor Public Education and Defund Schools
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted no on H.R. 5, extreme legislation that promotes federal censorship of elementary and secondary education and threatens to strip critical funding from our public schools. The legislation, which passed the House with exclusively Republican support, would impose an extreme agenda on public schools that aims to restrict students’ civil rights, ban books, censor curriculum, and punish teachers for teaching accurately about history.
“This extreme legislation brings culture wars into our classrooms at the expense of our kids’ well-being and ability to learn in school,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “I’m a parent of kids in public schools, and I know that what our schools need is better teacher pay, upgraded facilities, and programs to make up for lost learning – not banning books and censoring curriculum. I’m proud to support common sense legislation that truly provides for the success of students, teachers, and parents and hope that we can work in a bipartisan way to address these challenges.”
Earlier this week, Wexton met with Parent Teacher Association representatives from local school districts who expressed their deep opposition to H.R. 5 and shared concerns about how it would endanger student success and the well-being of Virginia schools. Wexton’s office has also heard from dozens of constituents this week speaking out against the bill.
Wexton has signed on as a cosponsor of the Bill of Rights for Students and Parents resolution, which supports key principles to deliver the support schools and students truly need to succeed right now, including a well-rounded education, authentic parental involvement, responsive and inclusive public schools, protecting students’ civil rights, and historically accurate education for a representative democracy. A summary of the legislation can be found here.
Wexton has also voted to pass into law the American Rescue Plan, providing around $130 billion for public education to safely reopen schools and tackle learning loss – which 210 House Republicans voted against; the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to expand vital school mental health services – which 193 House Republicans voted against; and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 to create a permanent nationwide free summer meals program that is feeding nearly 30 million school children – which 200 House Republicans voted against.
H.R. 5 is opposed by numerous national education groups including the National Education Association, American Library Association, National PTA, and AASA – the School Superintendents Association.
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McClellan Opposes Politics Over Parents Legislation, Speaks Out in Opposition on House Floor
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) voted against H.R. 5, the “Parents Bill of Rights Act,” to protect the interests of students and parents in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District and across the nation.
“I strongly oppose H.R. 5, which should be called the ‘Politics Over Parents Act,’ because it brings unnecessary culture wars into the classroom and threatens our student’ ability to receive an objective, evidence-based education,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “As the mother of two young children in Virginia’s public-school system, I consistently speak with other parents about their concerns and hopes for their children in the classroom. Parents want expanded resources for mental and behavioral health services, inclusive school environments that foster learning and critical thinking, and increased resources to repair crumbling school buildings. Unfortunately, H.R. 5 addresses none of these issues.”
Among its provisions, H.R. 5:
- Creates unnecessary and burdensome reporting requirements on schools.
- Diverts essential resources and personnel away from meeting families’ real needs.
- Opens the possibility to dictate what students can and cannot read or learn.
“This legislation is a political stunt that would ban books, rewrite our history, and enable a vocal minority to impose their beliefs on all parents and students,” continued Congresswoman McClellan. “It has problematic provisions that would make the classroom less safe for LGBTQI+ students and threaten critical federal funding for nutrition programs as a punitive measure for those that do not comply. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle should stop the partisan posturing and come to the table in good faith to address the issues parents really care about.”
During floor debate on the legislation, Congresswoman McClellan spoke out in opposition to the legislation.
H.R. 5 is also opposed by the National Education Association, the American Library Association, and twenty other education advocacy and family support organizations.
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