VAN DREW INTRODUCES THE MY CHILD, MY CHOICE ACT ALONG WITH 14 OF HIS COLLEAGUES TO PROTECT PARENTAL RIGHTS

May 6, 2022 — Congressman Van Drew announced the introduction of the My Child, My Choice Act along with fourteen of his Republican colleagues to ensure that parents have a say in their child’s education.

Original co-sponsors of the bill include: Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Rep. Billy Long (R-MO), and Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL). 

“Enough is enough – parents are tired of the government interjecting itself into their child’s education in attempt to teach children intimate and inappropriate subject matter with no parental input,” said Congressman Van Drew. “In my home state of New Jersey, policies are being put forward that students may use any ‘restroom, locker room, or changing facility in accordance with their gender identity.’ This is threatening the safety and security of our young children. We must protect our nation’s youth and ensure they are learning subjects critical to their development, not leftist ideologies.”  

“Instead of getting back to the basics and teaching our youth reading, writing, math, and science, school districts across America are beginning to push divisive and harmful curriculum to students without parental consent,” said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting legislation that gives power back to parents regarding their child’s education and demands transparency from schools about what is actually being taught in the classroom.”

“Moms and dads are the primary stakeholders in their children’s education and should have a front-row seat to what goes on in the classroom,” said Congressman Duncan. “We should never use federal funds to enable schools to push explicitly sexual themes on our children while keeping parents out of the equation. What happened to schools teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic—the basics—and leaving these discussions for home?”

“Parents’ have the fundamental responsibility and right to care for, raise and educate their children,” said Congressman Webster. “I have fought to empower mothers and fathers to have a voice in their child’s education and upbringing. I will continue to strongly support every parent’s right to determine the best educational curriculum, learning path, and school to meet their children’s needs without government interference. This bill reinstates authority where it rightfully belongs – with parents.”

“Parents know what is best for their children – it is past time we put the power back into the parents’ hands to decide what their children are taught,” said Congresswoman Van Duyne. “The My Child, My Choice Act takes an important step in safeguarding America’s youth from immoral and leftist ideologies.”

“Parents have had enough. Schools have no place indoctrinating our children about gender identity, sexual orientation, and transgenderism,” said Congressman Steube. “It should have never started in the first place, but since these teachings are becoming increasingly prevalent in schools across America, I’m glad to cosponsor legislation that will withhold federal funds from any school who tries to override parental rights by teaching these topics without permission.” 

“Regardless of what Terry McAuliffe says parents do deserve a say in their children’s education,” said Congressman Long. “The My Child My Choice Act allows parents to make decisions about whether their children will be taught radical gender ideology in public schools. Federal funds should not be used to promote this curriculum without the parents having a say in it first.”

“As a parent myself, I know how important it is to be involved with my child’s curriculum. The My Child My Choice Act gives power to the parents, giving them an important tool to make sure their children are protected from radical agendas we have seen in schools across the country,” said Congresswoman Mace. “In the same way that Congress acts as a check on the power of the president, parents will now be able to do the same, giving them the chance to step into their child’s education and ensure it aligns with their values.”

Background: 

• Requires a teacher to get written consent from parents any time a lesson on gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender studies is to be taught. 
  • If more than 50% of a class does not consent, the lesson may not be taught. If less than 50% do not consent, the school must provide those students whose parents did not consent with an alternative period of learning. 
• Students, parents, and teachers can submit a report to the Secretary of Education anytime an infringement of this policy occurs. 
  • If the Secretary determines the school/teacher did not comply with the requirements of this bill, the school will be stripped of the following school year’s federal funding. 

Read the full text of the bill here. 

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