Despite the Biden Administration’s desperate attempts to block government funding for school shooting courses, such as hunting and archery, the House resoundingly voted against this nonsensical move. The Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act was passed with a staggering 424-1 vote after it came to light that the Department of Education was unjustly restricting funding for these critical teaching programs in schools.
As Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) rightfully pointed out, “Hunters and fishers are the best conservationists.” He further emphasized how hunting, whether with a firearm or bow, serves as an effective way to manage wildlife populations, safeguard our exquisite lands, and foster a deep connection with nature. His Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act is instrumental for our children’s education.
Green also advocated for students to “participate in enriching athletic activities that foster an appreciation for nature and the ability to focus on a goal.” He highlighted that in Tennessee alone, over 50,000 kids would have been negatively impacted by the funding restriction imposed by the Biden Administration.
This summer revealed that the Education Department had informed hunting education leaders about their intention to strip all federal funding from school programs. They cited last year’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) as their justification for this drastic cut.
The Department even went so far as to claim that hunting and archery courses involve “technically dangerous weapons,” which they argued “may not be funded under” the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. As a result of this governmental pressure, many schools have already eliminated these courses.
“The Department of Education and Secretary Cardona are blatantly misconstruing the law to withhold funding from schools that choose to teach beneficial courses like hunter safety and archery,” said Lawrence Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. He further called on Congress to hold Secretary Cardona and the department accountable for violating the letter and spirit of the law to unilaterally deny America’s students access to these valuable programs as part of the Administration’s continued attacks on the Second Amendment.
Tommy Floyd, president of the National Archery in the Schools Program, stated that his program positively impacts over 1 million students in almost every state. Despite this, the Department of Education has stubbornly refused to reconsider their stance on funding unless legislative measures are taken.
The BSCA was widely believed to be a “gun control” bill. It was sold as a means to create “safer, more inclusive and positive” schools and was signed off by Biden in summer 2022. As a result of this bill passing, federal funding for all hunting or archery courses were slashed.
However, BSCA Senate sponsors John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and Kyrsten Sinema introduced companion legislation to the bill in early September. Following this week’s House voting, Cornyn stated: “The Biden administration’s misinterpretation of these provisions has jeopardized educational enrichment programs like hunting and archery, which play a critical role in our next generation’s development and well-being.”
He further urged: “This legislation would ensure these programs remain available in schools across the nation, and I urge the Senate to pass it as soon as possible.”
Source: State of the Union
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