Biden Administration holds back crucial funds from schools offering hunting courses.
The Biden Administration Withholds Federal Funds for Schools Offering Hunting and Archery Courses
Fox News reported this week that the Department of Education has confirmed its decision to withhold key federal funds from elementary and secondary schools that provide hunting or archery courses. The funding, which comes from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, is being blocked due to the Department’s interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) — a gun control bill that was signed into law following a tragic shooting incident in Uvalde, Texas, last year.
Impact on Schools and Students
The decision to withhold federal funds affects thousands of schools and potentially millions of students across the country. These funds, earmarked under ESEA, were specifically designated for schools with hunting and archery programs.
Department’s Statement
The Department of Education stated, “This prohibition applies to all ESEA funds. 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.”
Explanation of the BSCA Amendment
The BSCA included an amendment to an ESEA subsection that lists prohibited uses for federal school funding. This amendment specifically prohibits ESEA funds from providing any person with a dangerous weapon or offering “training in the use of a dangerous weapon.”
Response from Senators Cornyn and Tillis
Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) expressed their concerns in a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. They stated that they were alarmed to learn about the misinterpretation of the BSCA, which led to the defunding of archery and hunter education classes for thousands of children. These programs are crucial for developing life skills, firearm safety, and building self-esteem.
Matthew McConaughey’s Green Lights Grant Initiative
In related news, actor Matthew McConaughey revealed his new Green Lights Grant Initiative. He started this initiative after discovering that schools were struggling to secure funding from the BSCA. McConaughey expressed his disappointment that none of the 12 schools near Uvalde had received the funding they applied for.
McConaughey questioned the effectiveness of the current system, stating, “What are we doing? That’s a zero percent success rate. One, way too few applications. Number two, the 12 applications, we went zero for twelve?” He emphasized the need to simplify the process and connect school districts to the billions of dollars available to ensure the safety of our children.
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