March 11, 2026
Mr. Kim introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand the American history and civics education activities.
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 Every Student is a Citizen Act
.
Sec. 2. Appropriation of funds
(a) In general
Section 2231 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6661) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), by striking From the amount reserved by the Secretary under section 2201(3), the
and inserting The
;
(2)
by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
(3)
by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
(b) Appropriation of funds
There are authorized to be appropriated and there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out this subpart $40,000,000 for each fiscal year.;
(4)
in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking subsection (a)
and inserting subsection (b)
.
(b) Conforming amendments
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
in section 2201—
(A)
by striking paragraph (3);
(B)
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3); and
(C)
in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting and
after the semicolon;
(2)
in section 2241, by striking section 2201(4)
and inserting section 2201(3)
.
Sec. 3. American history and civics education national activities
Section 2233(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6663(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
(2)
may include, during any before-school, during-school, or after-school program—
(A)
hands-on civic engagement activities, such as mock elections, model congresses, or other simulated democratic processes, for teachers and students;
(B)
activities about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights;
(C)
activities or discussions on how under-represented Americans of different backgrounds achieved greater participation in the democratic process throughout our Nation’s history and the application of those lessons learned today;
(D)
activities that include service learning and community-service projects that are linked to school curriculum;
(E)
travel to the District of Columbia, State capitals, or local seat of government or Federal or State designated historical sites, or any combination of such locations;
(F)
meeting with community organizations and elected officials to learn about challenges facing local communities;
(G)
activities that encourage and support student participation in school governance and journalism;
(H)
activities that encourage and support student participation in reporting on local events;
(I)
developing media literacy programs that help students understand how to navigate and critically evaluate the media, including social media, and identify primary and secondary sources;
(J)
helping students learn how to engage and promote in respectful debate across differences, shared problem-solving, and mutual understanding;
(K)
supporting voter registration and civic participation; and
(L)
online and video game based learning.
Sec. 4. Activities to support well-rounded educational opportunities
Section 4107(a)(3)(E) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7117(a)(3)(E)) is amended by striking government education
and inserting “government education, including—
(i)
hands-on civic engagement activities, such as mock elections, model congresses, or other simulated democratic processes, for teachers and students;
(ii)
activities about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights;
(iii)
activities or discussions on how under-represented Americans of different backgrounds achieved greater participation in the democratic process throughout our Nation’s history and the application of those lessons learned today;
(iv)
activities that include service learning and community-service projects that are linked to school curriculum;
(v)
travel to the District of Columbia, State capitals, or local seat of government or Federal or State designated historical sites, or any combination of such locations;
(vi)
meeting with community organizations and elected officials to learn about challenges facing local communities;
(vii)
activities that encourage and support student participation in school governance and journalism;
(viii)
activities that encourage and support student participation in reporting on local events;
(ix)
developing media literacy programs that help students understand how to navigate and critically evaluate the media, including social media, and identify primary and secondary sources;
(x)
helping students learn how to engage and promote in respectful debate across differences, shared problem-solving, and mutual understanding;
(xi)
supporting voter registration and civic participation; and
(xii)
online and video game based learning.