In a nearly unanimous vote on Tuesday evening, the House of Representatives approved legislation that overturns the Biden administration's decision to block federal funding from school programs that offer shooting courses.
The Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, which received a vote of 424-1 in favor, was passed by the House. The bill garnered support from 216 Republicans and 208 Democrats, with only one lawmaker, Texas Democrat Veronica Escobar, voting against it. Shortly after the House passed the bill, the Senate also passed it unanimously.
The bill, introduced by Rep Mark Green on August 1, aims to protect hunting and fishing as well as promote conservation efforts. Green stated, "Hunters and fishers are the best conservationists. Hunting, whether it be with a firearm or bow, is one of the most effective ways to control wildlife populations, protect our beautiful lands, and connect with nature. My Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act is critical for our children." He emphasized the importance of encouraging students to participate in athletic activities that foster an appreciation for nature and the ability to focus on a goal.
Green estimates that the Biden administration's decision impacts around 50,000 students in Tennessee alone. The decision to block federal funding from school programs offering shooting courses was based on guidance shared by the Education Department to hunting education groups. The guidance stated that hunting and archery programs in schools would no longer receive federal programming under the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This led many schools to remove these courses from their curriculums.
The Education Department's interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was met with criticism from advocates of these programs. Lawrence Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, accused the Department of Education and Secretary Cardona of misconstruing the law to withhold funding from schools that teach beneficial courses like hunter safety and archery. Keane called for Congress to hold Secretary Cardona and the department accountable for violating the law and denying students access to these valuable programs.
The Department of Education, however, stood by its interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. It stated that it would only reverse its course if legislation was passed to amend the act and allow funding for these programs. The act, passed in June 2022 in response to the Uvalde, Texas school shooting, revised the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to prohibit funding of weapons. The provision was included to prevent education funding from being used for school resource officer training.
Following the House vote, Senator John Cornyn, who sponsored the Safer Communities Act, expressed concern over the Biden administration's misinterpretation of the provisions. He emphasized the critical role that programs like hunting and archery play in the development and well-being of the next generation. Cornyn urged the Senate to pass the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act as soon as possible to ensure these programs remain available in schools across the nation.
The passage of the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act by the House of Representatives reflects bipartisan support for preserving hunting and shooting programs in schools. The bill seeks to overturn the Biden administration's decision to block federal funding from these programs, which has had a significant impact on students across the country.
As the bill moves to the Senate, its supporters hope for swift action to ensure the continuation of these valuable educational opportunities.
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