Restore School Archery Programs & Virginia Education Reform
Here's the latest dispatch.
Good morning,
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DOE Defunds School Archery Programs
A bombshell new report from Fox News Digital reporter Thomas Catenacci shed light on the Biden administration’s continued war on hunting.
The latest attack involves the Department of Education (DOE) nixing school archery and hunting program funding. DOE confirmed it’s withholding federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 citing passage of the “moderate” gun control bill known as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA).
ESEA ensures “public school systems and individual public schools are held accountable for monitoring and improving achievement outcomes for students and closing achievement gaps.”
"This prohibition applies to all ESEA funds," a Department of Education spokesperson told Fox News. "The prohibition went into effect immediately on June 25, 2022 and applies to all existing and future awards under all ESEA programs, including [21st Century Community Learning Centers]. The Department is administering the bipartisan law as written by Congress."
While the Biden administration is responsible for enacting this policy, the blame also falls on all Congressional Democrats and Republicans who voted for the BSCA. How many Republicans? 15 Senate Republicans and 14 House Republicans joined all Democrats to support this legislation.
In November 2022, DOE issued guidance on the new law pertaining to the use of “dangerous weapons” (Question D-1) to be allocated under Stronger Connections Grant funds. The provision in question - Section 13401 of the BSCA amended Section 8526 of the ESEA - is being interpreted to not only prohibit funds for firearms, but also archery equipment.
“Section 13401 of the BSCA amended Section 8526 of the ESEA to prohibit the use of ESEA funds, including those under Stronger Connections, to provide to any person a dangerous weapon or training in the use of a dangerous weapon. The term “dangerous weapon” means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2½ inches in length,” the document reads.
Education Freedom is Alive in Virginia
On Wednesday, Young Voices partnered with Independent Women’s Forum to host an education freedom panel event in Old Town Alexandria.
Between 25-30 attendees showed up to enjoy a riveting talk on school choice, education reform, and how to elevate Virginia schools.
Grateful to moderator Ginny Gentles and panelists Christian Barnard, C.J. Sailor, and Nathan Cunneen for participating.
Here are photos from the event:
ICYMI
Articles/commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA MENTIONS
I went on WMAL News on Monday to discuss the Biden administration defunding school archery and hunting programs.
The week before, I joined Jim Lokay on his Fox 5 DC show to discuss DCA slot and perimeter reforms and the appearance was cross-posted on Yahoo! News.
I also discussed on The Bill Meyer Show out of Medford, Oregon, to discuss my WSJ op-ed.
ARTICLES/BLOGS
Independent Women’s Forum: NY Fed Publishes Results From Trial CBDC Program
Townhall: Thanks to Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, DOE Defunds School Archery Programs
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
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—Gabriella