U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on Jan. 18 unveiled a bicameral resolution that would designate Jan. 21-27 as National School Choice Week.
“Students and their parents deserve the ability to choose the best education available to them. Unfortunately, some students are trapped in a failing system where test scores in reading and math have fallen to the lowest levels in decades,” Rep. Moolenaar said. “America’s students must be able to pursue the educational opportunities that are best for them.”
The congressman sponsored House Resolution (H.Res.) 974, which has 50 original cosponsors. The U.S. Senate version introduced by Sen. Cassidy has not yet received a number in the congressional record.
“Children should have every opportunity to succeed in school, regardless of income or zip code. School choice provides this opportunity,” Sen. Cassidy said. “This National School Choice Week, we celebrate parents’ ability to make the best educational decisions for their family.”
According to Sen. Cassidy’s office, the Senate resolution was introduced by 24 other Republicans, including U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
H.Res. 974 cosponsors include U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Tom Cole (R-OK), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), John Joyce (R-PA), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Garret Graves (R-LA).
“My colleagues and I are proud to stand with [parents] in introducing this legislation recognizing parental rights and school choice,” said Rep. Moolenaar, co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus.