Scott, Moolenaar lead GOP colleagues in support of school choice

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) each led Republicans in their chamber to unveil a bicameral resolution that would protect school choice for students and families.

“Support for these schools has never been a partisan issue,” Sen. Scott said. “It’s time the administration put politics aside and joined parents in the fight for quality education.”

“Every student deserves the chance to receive a quality education and every parent should have the right to pick the school that is best for their kids,” added Rep. Moolenaar, co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus.

House Joint Resolution (H.J.Res.) 94 and Senate Joint Resolution (S.J.Res.) 60, introduced last week by Rep. Moolenaar and Sen. Scott, respectively, would invalidate the Biden administration’s July 6 charter school rule using the Congressional Review Act, a 1996 law that allows Congress to overturn executive branch regulations, according to information provided by the lawmakers.

The new rule burdens charter schools with new funding rules and regulations, such as making charter schools co-develop curriculums with public schools and share enrollment information with their public counterparts, the information says.

“As kids go back to school this fall, the Biden administration’s new rule makes it harder for charter schools to offer learning opportunities for students. Biden’s rule will make both of those goals harder and that is why I am introducing this resolution to repeal it.” said Rep. Moolenaar. “My resolution stands up for parents and students by supporting the ability for families to find a school that best fits their needs and allow for students to succeed and realize their true potential.”

“Time and time again, this administration has bowed to big-labor unions and liberal extremists at the expense of children’s futures,” Sen. Scott said. “Now they are outdoing themselves with rules that will undermine charter schools — tuition-free, top-notch public education options that serve primarily disadvantaged students.”

The six original cosponsors of H.J.Res. 94 include U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA), while 21 original cosponsors helped introduce S.J.Res. 60, including U.S. Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and Pacific Legal Foundation endorsed the resolution.