WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote on H.R.5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act: 

“Last week in Washington once again culminated in an effort to further divide the nation rather than meaningfully legislate. What was ostensibly presented as ‘parental rights legislation,’ is an attempt to politicize our classrooms, children, and teachers. This legislation has no chance of being enacted into law. I believe that we should do all we can to improve and encourage parental engagement. Parents should have an active role in their child’s education, and I believe a parents bill of rights makes sense, but, despite its title, this is not that. Last year, I voted for a Republican colleague’s bill on servicemember parents bill of rights, which was a better, less partisan approach. This issue is important to me, and it must be done correctly. 

Interestingly, the same party that introduced this bill tried to insert language that would eliminate the Department of Education, which is antithetical to the supposed intent of this bill. Once again, I am calling on all my colleagues to find our common ground and to take our legislative responsibilities seriously. We should be legislating to help the American people instead of virtue signaling.”

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress.  

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