May 7, 2026
Mr. Owens introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prevent the American History and Civics program from funding radical indoctrination, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Civics and History Advancement to Restore Learning, Integrity, and Education Act
or the CHARLIE Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibiting American history and civics funds for radical indoctrination
Section 2231 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6661) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(c) Prohibitions
(1) In general
Of the amount made available to carry out this subpart, no funds may be used for discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology.
(2) Priority
In awarding grants under this subpart, the Secretary may not give priority to an eligible entity on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status, including with respect to—
(A)
the identity or purpose of the eligible entity;
(B)
the identity of the individuals who control, are employed by, or are served by the eligible entity; or
(C)
the proposed activities to be carried out under such a grant.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Discriminatory equity ideology
The term discriminatory equity ideology has the meaning given the term in section 2 of Executive Order 14190 (90 Fed. Reg. 8853; relating to ending radical indoctrination in K–12 schooling).
(2) Gender ideology
The term gender ideology has the meaning given the term in section 2 of Executive Order 14168 (90 Fed. Reg. 8615; relating to defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the Federal Government).