Informed Electorate Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and otherwise revises the American History for Freedom grant program.
In particular, the bill allows eligible institutions of higher education to use grant funds to establish academic centers or programs that promote the importance of civic engagement and the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The bill prohibits the use of grant funds to promote, endorse, teach, or distribute material related to (1) the 1619 Project, which is an initiative that addresses the beginning of slavery in the United States; or (2) critical race theory.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3928 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3928
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reform the American
History for Freedom program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 16, 2021
Mr. Cawthorn (for himself, Mr. Mann, Mr. Owens, and Ms. Salazar)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reform the American
History for Freedom program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Informed Electorate Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) A growing contingent of ideological extremists seeking
to transform our Nation's understanding of the founding
principles of 1787 and what makes our country great are
promoting historically inaccurate and morally bankrupt
curriculum at elementary and secondary schools.
(2) Too many individuals in the United States have their
rights of speech, peaceable assembly, and religious practice
violated by zealous government officials.
(3) Informed and enthusiastic civic engagement signifies
and sustains a healthy body politic.
(4) There is widespread ignorance of western civilization's
economic systems and historical events that have created
unprecedented human prosperity.
SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO AMERICAN HISTORY FOR FREEDOM PROGRAM.
Section 805 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161e)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 805. AMERICAN HISTORY FOR FREEDOM.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--From the amounts appropriated under
subsection (f), the Secretary is authorized to award 2-year grants, on
a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to establish academic
centers or academic programs that--
``(1) promote and impart knowledge of--
``(A) traditional American history;
``(B) the history and achievements of Western
civilization; and
``(C) the importance of civic engagement and the
First Amendment to protect and safeguard free society;
and
``(2) such institutions continue to operate and fund after
the end of the grant period described in subsection (a).
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible institution.--The term eligible institution
means an institution of higher education as defined in section
101.
``(2) Free institution.--The term free institution means an
institution that emerged out of Western civilization, such as
democracy, constitutional government, individual rights, market
economics, religious freedom and religious tolerance,
meritocracy, and freedom of thought and inquiry.
``(3) Traditional american history.--The term traditional
American history means--
``(A) the significant constitutional, political,
intellectual, economic, and foreign policy trends and
issues that have shaped the course of American history;
and
``(B) the key episodes, turning points, and leading
figures involved in the constitutional, political,
intellectual, diplomatic, and economic history of the
United States, including the signing of the Declaration
of Independence, the Constitutional Convention of 1787,
the Bill of Rights, the Emancipation Proclamation, the
13th Amendment to the Constitution, the 14th Amendment
to the Constitution, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
``(c) Application.--
``(1) In general.--Each eligible institution that desires a
grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include a description of--
``(A) how funds made available under this section
will be used for the activities set forth under
subsection (e), including how such activities will
increase knowledge with respect to traditional American
history, free institutions, the First Amendment to the
Constitution, or Western civilization and how the funds
will increase civic engagement;
``(B) how the eligible institution will ensure that
information about the activities funded under this
section is widely disseminated pursuant to subsection
(e)(1)(B);
``(C) any activities to be undertaken pursuant to
subsection (e)(2)(A), including identification of
entities intended to participate;
``(D) how funds made available under this section
shall be used to supplement and not supplant non-
Federal funds available for the activities described in
subsection (e); and
``(E) such fiscal controls and accounting
procedures as may be necessary to ensure proper
disbursement of and accounting for funding made
available to the eligible institution under this
section.
``(d) Award Basis.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall take into consideration the capability of the eligible
institution to--
``(1) increase access to quality programming that expands
knowledge of traditional American history, free institutions,
or Western civilization;
``(2) involve personnel with strong expertise in
traditional American history, free institutions, or Western
civilization; and
``(3) sustain the activities funded under this section
after the grant has expired.
``(e) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Required use of funds.--Funds provided under this
section shall be used to--
``(A) establish or strengthen academic programs or
centers focused on traditional American history, free
institutions, or Western civilization, which may
include --
``(i) design and implementation of programs
of study, courses, lecture series, seminars,
and symposia;
``(ii) development, publication, and
dissemination of instructional materials;
``(iii) research;
``(iv) support for faculty teaching in
undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate
programs;
``(v) support for graduate and postgraduate
fellowships, if applicable; or
``(vi) teacher preparation initiatives that
stress content mastery regarding traditional
American history, free institutions, or Western
civilization; and
``(B) conduct outreach activities to ensure that
information about the activities funded under this
section is widely disseminated--
``(i) to undergraduate students (including
students enrolled in teacher education
programs, if applicable);
``(ii) to graduate students (including
students enrolled in teacher education
programs, if applicable);
``(iii) to faculty;
``(iv) to local educational agencies; and
``(v) within the local community and the
general public.
``(2) Allowable use of funds.--Funds provided under this
section may be used to support--
``(A) collaboration with entities such as--
``(i) local educational agencies, for the
purpose of providing elementary and secondary
school teachers an opportunity to enhance their
knowledge of traditional American history, free
institutions, or Western civilization; and
``(ii) nonprofit organizations whose
mission is consistent with the purpose of this
section, such as academic organizations,
museums, and libraries, for assistance in
carrying out activities described under
subsection (a); and
``(B) other activities that meet the purposes of
this section.
``(3) Prohibited use of funds.--Funds provided under this
section may not be used for the purpose of promoting,
endorsing, teaching, or distributing material related to the
1619 Project or Critical Race Theory.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2027.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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