High Country Times

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) announced the House's approval of three legislative bills aimed at supporting children and students. The approved bills include S. 3448, the Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023; S. 1147, the Jenna Quinn Law; and S. 5355, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) Improvement Act.

The Never Again Education Reauthorization Act extends the mission of the United States Holocaust Museum to distribute Holocaust education resources through Fiscal Year 2030. Chairwoman Foxx emphasized its importance: “October 7 was the worst day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. S. 3448 will ensure that the lessons of history are not forgotten in these troubling times.” She highlighted that expanding Holocaust education programs in schools would provide students with resources to understand antisemitism and combat genocide, hate, and bigotry.

The Jenna Quinn Law seeks to prevent child sexual abuse by enabling schools to use existing grants for educating teachers, staff, parents, and students on recognizing and responding to abuse. Foxx stated: “This bill’s story begins with its namesake, Jenna Quinn, a teenage sexual assault survivor... This bipartisan legislation directly addresses the pervasive issue of child sexual abuse in our country.”

The NACIE Improvement Act mandates that at least one member of NACIE be a president from a Tribal College or University (TCU), ensuring TCUs have representation in discussions about tribal education. According to Foxx: “Simply put, this bipartisan legislation ensures TCUs have a voice in decisions that directly impact Native American students.”