Lankford: The Government is No Replacement for Parents When it Comes to Education

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as the rights of parents are under attack by the Biden administration, Senator Rick Scott, joined by Leader Mitch McConnell, US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Richard Burr and nearly 30 other Republican senators introduced a resolution supporting parents’ rights to be fully and actively involved in the education of their children. Recently, Joe Biden and his administration have politicized and weaponized the Justice Department, threatening to use federal law enforcement resources to intimidate and silence parents who speak out to protect their children from harmful curricula like critical race theory that’s being pushed by Biden and the far-left. Biden’s dangerous tactics are a clear violation on parents’ rights of free speech and the right to have a say in their child’s education.

This resolution is also cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), James Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

“It is wrong for the Justice Department to target parents who are actively involved in their kids’ education,” said Lankford. “The FBI and federal law enforcement are supposed to go after real acts of terrorism, not parents who stand up for their children and speak out at school board meetings. Progressives want the federal government to investigate parents who want a voice in their child’s education, but not violent protests’. This resolution ensures Oklahomans know we will not sit idly by and let this Administration intimidate parents and stifle free speech by threatening unnecessary federal investigations.”

Scott said, “The Democrats’ war on parents is disgusting. As a proud father of two, and grandfather to seven, it makes me furious to hear people say that the government knows better than a mom or dad when it comes to the education of their child. That’s why today I am proud to have Leader McConnell, Ranking Member Burr and nearly thirty other Republican senators join me in introducing a simple resolution supporting parents’ rights to be engaged and have a say in their child’s education. It’s not controversial or radical to say that we support the right of parents to be the leading voices in the education of their children. And it’s not controversial or radical to expect teachers, schools and school districts to regularly engage parents in constructive and open dialogue about school policies, curricula, and instructional materials – and to LISTEN to their feedback. Moms and dads know what is best for their children, and it is a great thing when they get involved. We won’t let the Democrats use their radical, socialist agenda to drive parents out of education and replace them with the failed ideas of big government.”

McConnell said, “In the middle of a border crisis and a national surge in homicides, the Attorney General seems to think the DOJ’s top priority should be intimidating parents out of their free speech rights. Violence and threats are already crimes. If Democrats want fewer concerned citizens speaking up, the solution is to stop trying to indoctrinate children on the taxpayers’ dime. Holding elected officials accountable for their failures isn’t intimidation, it’s democracy.”

Burr said, “Washington bureaucrats and labor unions do not know better than parents on what’s best for their children, especially when it comes to their education. Our nation’s school systems encourage constructive debate, but the Biden Administration is threatening this long-held model by restricting parental free speech at public school board meetings. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this critical resolution to support parents across the nation advocate for what’s best for their children.” 

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