January 23, 2025
Mr. Risch (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Sheehy, and Ms. Lummis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To prohibit the use of certain American History and Civics Education program funds for curriculum, or teaching or counseling, that promotes or compels a divisive concept under the priorities noticed in the proposed rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to Proposed Priorities-American History and Civics Education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Protect Equality And Civics Education Act of 2025
or the PEACE Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on use of funds
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) Prohibition
(1) In General
None of the funds made available to carry out this subpart may be used to fund curriculum, or teaching or counseling, that promotes or compels a divisive concept under the priorities noticed in the proposed rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to Proposed Priorities-American History and Civics Education (published at 86 Fed. Reg. 20348 (April 19, 2021)).
(2) Definitions
In this section:
(A) Promotes or compels a divisive concept
The term promotes or compels a divisive concept, means race stereotyping or race scapegoating, or promotion of one or more of the following concepts:
(i)
One race is inherently superior to another race.
(ii)
The United States is fundamentally racist.
(iii)
An individual, by virtue of his or her race, is inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.
(iv)
An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race.
(v)
Members of one race cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race.
(vi)
An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race.
(vii)
An individual, by virtue of his or her race, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race.
(viii)
Any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race.
(ix)
Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race.
(B)
The term race scapegoating means assigning fault, blame, or bias to a race, or to members of a race because of their race.
(C)
The term race stereotyping means ascribing character traits, values, moral and ethical codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to a race, or to an individual because of the individual’s race.