FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Green’s Bill to Protect Shooting Sports Passes Out of Committee with Unanimous Support
WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Mark Green’s Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act passed out of the Education and the Workforce Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Green said, “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. 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.
“In Tennessee, this decision would have impacted 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. That’s why I’m glad the Education and the Workforce Committee passed my legislation out of Committee.
“If applied equally, this interpretation of this law should also restrict funding for other school activities like fencing, track and field activities, and even the culinary arts. But instead, shooting sports are being targeted. This isn’t right or fair.
“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.”
Read the bill text here.
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