Murphy Leads Letter Calling for Hearings to Address Parent Concerns in Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), Ranking Member of the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, sent a letter to House Education and Labor Committee Democrats expressing support for parental involvement in American education. Rep. Murphy was joined in this effort by Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) and Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. In the letter, the members call for hearings to address the impacts of pandemic school closures on children and address evidence of inappropriate and divisive Critical Race Theory (CRT) and sex and gender education in public schools.

"American parents have made it incredibly clear that they want to be involved in their children's education, and they have every right to be," said Rep. Murphy. "Study after study proves that our students thrive when parents play an integral role in our schools. I want parents to know that we have heard them loud and clear. It is far past time for Congress to take action, consider parents concerns, and engage in legislative hearings to discuss not only the short and long term impacts of pandemic school closures on our children, but also outline parent distress regarding demonstrated cases of CRT and inappropriate sex and gender indoctrination in schools. Parents are the arbiters of education in America, period. I call on our Democrat counterparts to make constituent concerns in education a bipartisan priority."

"If we left it up to Democrats, kids would be masked and parents would be muzzled forever," said Rep. Foxx. "Luckily there are still freedom-loving Americans out there willing to fight for their rights. They are willing to fight for their right to make medical decisions for their kids as well as their right to decide what their kids are taught in schools. When parents say no to leftist indoctrination, school boards should start listening. It's time to focus on issues parents care most about—closing the learning gap created by shuttering classrooms during the pandemic. We need to get our kids back on track academically. This should be our priority—not the left's campaign to turn our kids into mini social justice warriors."

"Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic deal a significant blow to in-person learning, but it also opened the door to inappropriate and divisive teachings and concerning curriculum, including Critical Race Theory," said Rep. Owens. "Parents are irreplaceable advocates for their children, and we should address their genuine concerns while continuing to prioritize the development of students across America."

Fox News carried the exclusive on this release. You can read the full letter here.

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