Tennessee U.S. Congressman Mark Green (R-TN-07) announced on Tuesday that his Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act passed the House with bipartisan support to keep hunting and archery programs in U.S. schools.
This follows the Biden administration recently announced its plan to withhold funding from schools that provide these programs, claiming that under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year, school hunting and archery classes are precluded from receiving federal funding.
Lawmakers passed the BSCA in June, which included an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, which prohibits funds under the law’s jurisdiction “for the provision to any person of a dangerous weapon … or training in the use of a dangerous weapon.”
The legislation, House Resolution (HR) 5110, aims to specifically “amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to clarify that the prohibition on the use of Federal education funds for certain weapons does not apply to the use of such weapons for training in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports.”
According to Green, it encourages him that his bill passed in the House with bipartisan support.
“I’m encouraged that my bill passed the House with bipartisan support today. Hunting, fishing, and archery are cornerstones of American culture, and it’s our duty to make sure that these traditions—and opportunities for students—are protected,” Green said.
Green said that bureaucrats in Washington should never prevent children from receiving safety and skills training and this legislation protects those rights.
“Bureaucrats in Washington should never prevent our children from receiving safety and skills training in archery, hunting, and other shooting sports. In fact, we should encourage students to participate in enriching athletic activities that foster an appreciation for nature and the ability to focus on a goal, not discourage and defund them. This administration would never dream of revoking extracurriculars like baseball and golf simply because the bats and clubs could be used as deadly weapons. My legislation will protect shooting sports. We are stewards of God’s creation. Those who spend time outdoors understand that,” Green said.
According to Green, revoking funding for these programs impacts approximately 50,000 students in Tennessee alone.
“Singling out shooting sports isn’t right or fair. Additionally, it does a disservice to students who depend on these sports for college scholarships. Revoking funding for these programs would affect 50,000 students in Tennessee alone. That’s 50,000 children who might have missed the opportunity to form friendships, develop greater physical and social skills, and earn college scholarships. My bill ensures hunting and shooting sports are safeguarded for generations to come,” Green said.
Twenty-four state attorney generals nationwide, including Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, have supported Green’s bill.
As previously reported by The Tennesee Star, U.S. Congressman Andy Ogels (R-TN-05) has introduced similar legislation to amend the ESA by eliminating the restriction on using funds for the provision of weapons or training and permits funding for training students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports.
In a recent letter to President Joe Biden, 19 Senate Republicans urged him to reverse his administration’s decision to withhold money from elementary and secondary schools offering hunting and archery programs.
In the letter, they call on the Biden administration to immediately reverse this “misguided” decision and ensure that these programs receive their funding.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star, The Star News Network, The Arizona Sun Times, and The Tennessee Star. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “People Hunting” by Florida Fish and Wildlife. CC BY-ND 2.0.
