Federal Government Issues
Current Issues on Capitol Hill
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Note: To find information about specific bills on the Thomas web site run by the Library of Congress, click the Bill Number button, enter the bill number in the search field (example, HR573), and then click SEARCH.
ESEA Reauthorization
In 2001, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was reauthorized as No Child Left Behind. While ODACS has not been supportive of No Child Left Behind generally, there is specific language in NCLB that protects the freedoms of private Christian schools. Section 9527 prohibits the establishment of a national curriculum, Section 9529 prohibits the establish of a national testing system, Section 9530 prohibits the establishment of mandatory national teacher certification, and Section 9531 prohibits the establishment of a national student database. ODACS has repeatedly requested of Virginia's members of Congress that they support keeping this language in the new ESEA. No ESEA bill was offered in the 111th Congress, and we anticipate the 112th Congress to move slowly in its reauthorization efforts. Please contact your member of Congress and ask him or her to support leaving these important protections for private Christian schools in the new ESEA.
HR 485, Children's Hope Act of 2011
HR 485 would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits against federal income tax for charitable contributions to educational investment organizations. The bill would come to be in force in states that enact their own similar tax credit laws. The bill's sponsor is Congressman Trent Franks who, as an Arizona legislator prior to his time in Congress, helped passed the Arizona tuition tax credit bill that recently withstood a challenge in the U. S. Supreme Court. ODACS SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
HJ Res 3, Parental Rights Amendment
The Parental Rights Amendment would establish in the U. S. Constitution the fact that parents, not government, have the primary right and responsibility regarding the upbringing of their children. It would forbid the federal government from entering into any international treaty that would undermine parental rights. Please contact your member of Congress and ask him or her to cosponsor this bill! ODACS SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
S Res 99, Supporting Parental Rights
Senate Resolution 99, sponsored by Senator Jim DeMint, is a statement in support of parental rights. ODACS SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
S 470, Supporting State Systems of Early Learning Act
S 470 would expand federal involvement in and influence over preschool programs throughout the country. Besides the fact that the deeply indebted federal government cannot afford another new educational program, such an expansion of power would create greater inefficiency in the government education system and could ultimately threaten the rights of parents to rear their preschool children at home. ODACS OPPOSES THIS BILL.
