[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 59 (Monday, April 3, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E288-E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUBEN GALLEGO

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2023

  Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, on March 24, 2023, I was unable to cast my 
vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 
161 in opposition to the so-called Parents Bill of Rights Act, H.R. 5.
  The bill is just another example of extremist attacks on public 
schools. It does nothing to meaningfully support the engagement parents 
already have with their children's education and imposes unfunded and 
burdensome mandates to already underfunded schools. It sows

[[Page E289]]

unnecessary distrust in educators and librarians and will only lead to 
more teacher shortages and book banning.
  Further, there are specific provisions that would make already 
marginalized children feel less safe. It requires school staff to 
``out'' trans and queer youth, even if it would put that child in great 
personal danger, and it prohibits school mental health professionals 
from doing a mental health evaluation without active parental consent, 
even if that means delaying lifesaving intervention or if the child is 
experiencing abuse in their own home.
  This harmful bill puts politics and extremist, right-wing talking 
points over parents, students, and educators. That is why I am opposed 
to H.R. 5.

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