Lafayette Reporter

WASHINGTON - Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) have introduced the Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act, a bill aimed at reaffirming parents' right to raise their children according to their values. The bill seeks to prevent government overreach and protect parental rights in various aspects of a child's upbringing, including education.

Senator Kennedy emphasized the importance of protecting parents' rights, stating, "Far too often, woke officials treat American parents like second-class citizens for making decisions about their own kids' upbringing and education. Congress must protect moms' and dads' basic rights under the law, and that is what this bill would do."

The Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act proposes that the federal government must meet the strict scrutiny test, the highest level of judicial review, before infringing on the fundamental rights of parents. It also grants parents the ability to raise a violation of the legislation in judicial or administrative proceedings at both the federal and state levels. This provision is particularly significant in cases involving Title IX, gender-transition, and other situations where public officials may attempt to undermine parental rights.

Senator Scott expressed his commitment to putting parents back in control of their children's lives, saying, "Parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their child, whether it's in the classroom or at home. Yet, far too often, parents are being pushed out of their child's lives, and kids are paying the price. I'm fighting to put parents back in the driver's seat and ensure they remain the lead decision-maker in their child's life."

Echoing this sentiment, Senator Lankford emphasized the importance of preserving parental rights and limiting government overreach. He stated, "Moms and dads have the right—and responsibility—to determine what's best for their kids. Good parents should not live in fear of their own government every day. Whenever parental rights are threatened by federal government overreach, families deserve a fair hearing before a court. The Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act preserves the rights of parents and restricts government overreach into our homes and families."

In the House of Representatives, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) has introduced a companion bill. Representative Foxx highlighted the urgency of protecting parental rights, stating, "In America today, the rights of millions of parents are under siege—this moment calls for a targeted course correction so that these proud men and women can raise their children without government infringement. The Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act serves not only as a reinforced bulwark for parental rights but also as a fundamental check against the government whenever it decides to enforce policies that fail to extend due deference to parental decision-making."

The Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act aims to accomplish the following:

1. Affirm parents' fundamental right to raise their children and direct their education according to their values.

2. Prevent the federal government from substantially burdening this fundamental right without meeting the strict scrutiny test.

3. Allow parents to raise a violation of the legislation as a claim or defense in judicial or administrative proceedings at both the federal and state levels.

The full text of the Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act can be accessed here.

With the introduction of this bill, Senator Kennedy, Senator Scott, Senator Lankford, and Representative Foxx are advocating for the protection of parental rights and the restoration of parents' role as the primary decision-makers in their children's lives.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/press-releases?ID=6407413D-4E54-4233-8E72-E6284B9DA468