FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Green Keeps Schools Open for Students with New Legislation
WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Mark Green introduced the Keep Schools Open Act, which requires educational agencies and institutions to provide in-person instruction to students as a condition of receiving federal education funds.
Green said, “The coronavirus pandemic has impacted our children tenfold. From increased anxiety and feelings of loneliness, to an almost 23% spike in emergency room visits for suicide attempts among children aged twelve to seventeen—there is a dire need for our children to be at school. If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that the cost of keeping children out of school far outweighs any health benefit.”
“Throughout the rampant school closures of the past two years, parents and educators have proven to be true superheroes, working countless hours to ensure our children receive the very best education possible. However, for every child forced to learn virtually, there’s a parent who has to make the difficult decision to work or stay home, which disproportionately affects women and single parents. My Keep Schools Open Act is a crucial step in the fight to ensure children and families don’t suffer additional learning loss and career setbacks due to unnecessary school closures.”
Representatives Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Mary Miller (IL-15), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Lauren Boebert (CO-3), Ted Budd (NC-13), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Randy Weber (TX-14), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), and Nancy Mace (SC-1) cosponsored the legislation.
The bill text can be found here.
###
