Tennessee U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) announced Thursday that his Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act recently passed out of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
“This is a win for our nation’s students who choose to participate in shooting sports. Defunding shooting sports in schools would be a disservice to students,” Green said in a statement. “These extracurricular activities are keeping kids out of trouble, making them more focused at school, helping them build community, and giving them scholarship opportunities. Sports like archery and trap shooting are some of the fastest-growing sports in the country.”
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— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) September 14, 2023
Green filed the bill – which would reverse the Biden administration’s decision to defund school archery and hunting programs by stopping the U.S. Department of Education from threatening schools with the loss of federal funds for such programs – last month.
If enacted, the bill (H.R.5110) would 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.”
Green argued that “shooting sports are being targeted,” noting how other school activities including fencing, track and field activities, and culinary arts would be defunded under the Administration’s interpretation of the law if it was “applied equally.”
In Tennessee alone, according to Green, the Biden administration’s decision impacts approximately 600 schools and 50,000 students.
“Imagine what that number is nationwide. It would be a shame to see the kids who are pursuing something worthwhile–instead of trapped behind a screen–lose something they love and that is genuinely good for them,” Green added. “A political agenda that strips children of shooting sports is wrong. We should be encouraging students to get out into nature, to pursue extracurricular activities, and to join safe and healthy communities, not discouraging it.”
Independent Women’s Voice and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti have supported Green’s bill. Skrmetti recently led a coalition of 24 states urging Congress to pass the congressman’s legislation.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
