Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to guarantee the fundamental right of parents to make the best educational decisions for their children is constitutionally protected.

“The Biden Administration’s Department of Justice has worked to target parents and prevent them from having a say in what their children are being taught in the classroom,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “This is unacceptable. That is why I am pleased to once again introduce this constitutional amendment to protect and affirm parents’ fundamental right to be involved in their kids’ education and choose the best educational option for their families.”

“The family unit and its ability to function independently of the government is vital for the health of our country,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America. “The Parental Rights Amendment is a crucial piece of legislation in a country whose government often forgets parents are responsible for their children’s upbringing, not the government. This bill goes on to protect the rights of parents to choose the best education for their children to flourish. Rep. Lesko’s much needed legislation will protect fundamental parental rights.”

“The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized parental rights for a century, but parental rights are just too important to be left to Supreme Court precedent alone,” said William Estrada, President of ParentalRights.org. “This Amendment will enshrine these traditional rights in the black-and-white of the Constitution, preserving parental rights for generations to come. We are honored to work with Representative Debbie Lesko to protect children by empowering parents through the Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

This legislation amends the U.S. Constitution to guarantee the fundamental right of parents to choose an alternative to traditional public education and make reasonable choices within public schools for their children. It also ensures parental rights are not denied due to a disability of a parent. This legislation does not apply to a parental action or decision that would end life.

Lesko was joined by Representatives Jim Banks (R-IN-03), Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03), Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Bill Posey (R-FL-08), and Greg Steube (R-FL-17) This legislation is supported by Alliance Defending Freedom, Concerned Women for America, Ethics & Public Policy Center, Focus on the Family, Home School Legal Defense Association, Independent Women’s Forum, Liberty Counsel, Parental Rights Foundation, and Parents Defending Education Action.

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