Friday, September 9th, 2022

Scott Leads Effort to Protect Charter Schools from Biden Admin’s Attacks

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) led 21 colleagues in introducing Congressional Review Act (CRA) legislation to nullify the Biden administration’s new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding.

“Time and time again, this administration has bowed to big-labor unions and liberal extremists at the expense of children’s futures. Now they are outdoing themselves with rules that will undermine charter schools — tuition-free, top-notch public education options that serve primarily disadvantaged students,” said Senator Scott. “Support for these schools has never been a partisan issue. It’s time the administration put politics aside and joined parents in the fight for quality education.”

Co-signing the resolution are Senators Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).

Background:

Earlier this year, the Department of Education announced new rules overhauling the 28-year-old, bipartisan Charter School Program (CSP). The changes would place federal, one-size-fits-all requirements on charter schools, making it difficult — if not impossible — for many of these high-quality public schools to receive funding.

Despite substantial bipartisan backlash, the administration is moving ahead with its plans, which will strip families of education choice and give more power to big labor unions and bureaucrats in D.C.

For months, Sen. Scott has been leading the charge to protect charter schools from this brazen attack. He wrote to Secretary Cardona on several occasions:

In April, Sen. Scott and several Republicans expressed deep concern over the proposed CSP rules.
In April, Sen. Scott and HELP Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) requested an extension of the public comment period.
In May, Sen. Scott and a bipartisan group of senators urged the Department to revise the new rules.

Click here to read about the CRA in Fox News.

Click here for full text of the CRA.

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