McCollum Vote on H.R. 5, the Politics Over Parents Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5, the Politics Over Parents Act.

This bill is an attempt by House Republicans to attack public education in America and restrict the free exchange of ideas that fosters critical thinking. It is part of a harmful, nationwide extreme Republican march toward censorship and book bans. For example, in the 2021-2022 School Year, the most banned book titles included ‘Beloved' and ‘The Bluest Eye' by the groundbreaking author and Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison – not unlike the way ‘To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee has been the subject of book bans since the 1960s.

This censorship deprives students of opportunities to learn, grow, and obtain information from a variety of perspectives. Other types of censorship under this bill would deprive students of an accurate and fact-based education.

The strength of America comes from its diversity. But instead of delivering the support and resources our schools need, so-called "parents' rights" bills like this empower extremists to impose their beliefs on all students and parents.

My mother worked in a library. She taught me it is important that every child in every community has a safe place to learn and grow. Democrats are focused on improving public education, making our schools safer, and ensuring schools and students have what they need to recover from the pandemic.

This legislation is irresponsible and is yet another divisive political stunt by the Republican majority.

It should be rejected, and I yield back.