March 24, 2023—Boston, MA– The National Parents Union, released a statement following the passage of H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act:
It is jarringly disgraceful that the House of Representatives just passed H.R. 5 to ban books and oppress children by outing transgender students without their consent. Instead of passing legislation to educate kids and provide them with the needed tools to climb up the economic ladder and achieve the American dream, extreme MAGA Republicans have chosen to be the party of Big Brother to police schools and invoke fear across America’s classrooms.
What they continue to peddle is unconscionably wrong, in spite of the national data that shows parents want a Bill of Rights that educates kids, protects them from any form of discrimination, and teaches students historically accurate educational materials. Moreover, 58% of parents say a parent should only be able to have their own child opt-out of the curriculum or reading materials, and NOT prevent all students at their child’s school from having access to curriculum or reading materials.
The data corroborates what we know to be true: The Republican Party is not the party of parents, making a mockery out of parent’s rights and parent voice which highlights how deeply disconnected they are from American families.
We are confident this abhorrent legislation– that is solely about POLITICS and brazenly relegates the genuine well-being of children– will not survive in the Senate. We will continue to fight the REAL FIGHT that has plagued our classrooms for decades to ensure American families don’t lose more children to gun violence, have access to high quality teachers, high quality schools that teach the truth about America’s history, and help kids reach their potential.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,000 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/