[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 55 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 27, 2023

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unable to cast 
my vote against H.R. 5, the so-called ``Parents Bill of Rights Act'' on 
March 24, 2023, due to my ongoing recovery from surgery. Had I been 
present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call 161.
  We should encourage all parents to be engaged in their child's 
education and active in their school community, but H.R. 5--under the 
guise of parental rights--undermines our public education system.
  Instead of working to keep children safe in the classroom, provide 
better wages for teachers, and empower students of all backgrounds to 
learn more about the world around them, Republicans would rather help 
far-right extremists whitewash history in public schools.
  Our children deserve to learn without being caught in divisive 
culture wars. These partisan attacks on our students, particularly 
LGBTQ+ and minority students, need to stop.

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