Ranking Member Scott Leads Opposition to Bill That Puts Trans Kids in Harm’s Way

Ranking Member Scott Leads Opposition to Bill That Puts Trans Kids in Harm's Way

WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, spoke in opposition of H.R. 2616, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act.

Watch Ranking Member Scott's remarks on YouTube.

Here is a transcript of his remarks:

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2616, the so-called Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act, because the name that bears little resemblance to what the bill actually does.

"What it does is requires schools to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns or preferred name on any school form, or changing a student's sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms and bathrooms. And that's for all students in middle or elementary school.

"This bill would prohibit the use of federal funds to teach so-called 'gender ideology,' whatever that is. Specifically, it bars any discussion of transgender people or topics in the classroom, banning books with transgender characters or even discuss the existence of transgender people. It is well established in statute that the states and districts determine what their curriculum without interference from the federal government. This bill takes away state and local control of curriculum, the very thing that the current Administration claims they're giving back to states by illegally dismantling the Department of Education.

"Parental involvement is important and I support that. And it works in virtually all cases. But this bill is not about involvement. It's about federal coercion, forcing schools into situations where they may have to disclose sensitive information about a student, even when they know it could put that child safety at risk.

"And it goes beyond theory-it just creates absurd situations. For example, my name is Robert, but I go by Bobby. Under this bill, would my middle school coach need parental permission before listing me as 'Bobby' on a school sports roster or a permission slip for a school trip? And what if they write 'Rob' instead-do they need to go back and ask again?

"This bill also fails to clarify key questions-such as whether both parents must be notified and give permission? And who will oversee these requirements if this Administration continues illegally dismantling the Department of Education? What it does make clear is that: if schools get it wrong, they risk losing federal funding.

"That's not protecting kids. It won't make trans students disappear. It's just micromanaging schools and wasting everybody's' time.

"This bill does nothing to improve literacy, improve teacher shortages, promote a safe learning environment, or support student mental health or otherwise improves education.

"This bill is unnecessary, overly broad, and potentially harmful. I urge my colleagues to oppose it. I reserve the balance of my time."

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