Ben Cline on Education

Right to religious student groups & voluntary school prayer

• voluntarily pray or engage in religious expression before, during, and after the school day;
• organize prayer groups before, during, and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other activities & groups; and
• wear clothing or accessories that displays religious symbols to the same extent that other types of clothing or accessories are permitted.

Legislative Outcome:: Rep. Cline voted YEA; passed Senate 20-18-0, on Jan. 21; passed House 64-34-2, on Feb. 26; vetoed by Gov. McAuliffe on April 7.

PVS:States decide standards, not federal government.

Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Education: Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?' PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."

Voted NO on private lawsuits for school race discrimination.

Legislative Summary:This bill authorizes private civil causes of action for discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin, including anti-Semitism) in programs receiving federal financial assistance.

Trump's Statement of Administration Policy (against): The Administration strongly opposes passage of H.R. 2574. This bill fails to advance equality in education, while expanding bureaucracy, encouraging burdensome litigation, and imposing costs on recipients of Federal financial assistance. H.R. 2574 seeks to validate and expand the divisive regulatory agenda of the previous administration--advancing an ideological mission and enriching favored special interests like trial lawyers at the expense of students, educators, and taxpayers. The bill would require each recipient of Federal financial assistance to appoint a compliance coordinator, which would impose additional administrative burdens. H.R. 2574 would redirect vital resources that are needed to serve students in the pursuit of an ideological agenda.

Rep. Elaine Luria in support: H.R. 2574 would allow private individuals to file lawsuits under the Civil Rights Act's Title VI authority, allowing students and parents to remedy discrimination in education. "Every student has the right to access public education, free from discriminatory practices, said Congresswoman Luria. "By focusing on equity and inclusion, we move towards a public education system that is more just and will benefit every student, regardless of sex, ethnicity, ability, or their zip code."

Legislative outcome:Passed House 232-188-10, roll no. 192 on Sept 16, 2020; died in Senate without a vote.