The House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at educating American students about the dangers of communism, sparking both support and criticism.
At a Glance
- The Crucial Communism Teaching Act passed with a 327-62 vote in the House
- The bill aims to provide educational materials on communism and totalitarianism for middle and high school students
- It’s supported by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation
- Critics argue the bill is too narrowly focused and doesn’t address broader educational issues
- The Act highlights that communism has resulted in over 100 million deaths worldwide
House Passes Crucial Communism Teaching Act
The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step in addressing what some lawmakers see as a gap in American education. With a resounding 327-62 vote, the House passed the Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act, H.R. 5349, introduced by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL). This legislation aims to provide educational materials on the dangers of communism and totalitarianism to middle and high school students across the nation.
The CCT Act, inspired by the Never Again Education Act which educates students about the Holocaust, seeks to address concerns that a significant portion of Generation Z holds a favorable view of communism due to a lack of accurate educational materials. Rep. Salazar, whose community in Miami has firsthand experience with communist regimes, emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of communism’s victims and educating future generations.
🚨House passes @RepMariaSalazar’s Critical Communism Teaching Act.@virginiafoxx says it's “not a radical idea that American values should be taught in American schools.” @SpeakerJohnson adds that students must be "taught the true dangers of communism."https://t.co/wRQAWh0tUg
— House Committee on Education & the Workforce (@EdWorkforceCmte) December 6, 2024
Bipartisan Support and Educational Partnerships
The bill has garnered support from both sides of the aisle, with House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and several other representatives from various states co-sponsoring the legislation. The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, a key supporter of the Act, will assist in creating educational resources for the program.
“By passing my Crucial Communism Teaching Act, the House of Representatives will ensure future generations will remember the pain and suffering caused by the brutal communist ideology. My community in Miami understands the evils of communism very well, and we must ensure all Americans are aware of the death and misery it has caused. Their stories and memories will now live on in the minds of our youth.” stated Congresswoman Salazar
Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted the importance of the Act in the face of growing challenges from adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party. The educational program will cover political ideologies like communism and totalitarianism, which conflict with U.S. democratic principles, and will include an oral historical series, “Portraits in Patriotism,” featuring stories from survivors of communist regimes.
Addressing Historical Impact and Current Realities
The CCT Act emphasizes that communism has resulted in over 100 million deaths worldwide and that 1.5 billion people still live under communist regimes today. Rep. Danny Burgess (R-Fla.) noted that many youths view communism favorably, with some unaware of the Chinese Communist Party’s historical impact. This legislation aims to rectify this knowledge gap and provide a more comprehensive understanding of these ideologies.
While the bill has received widespread support, it has not been without its critics. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) argued that the legislation is “narrowly tailored” and does not address broader educational issues or mention other historical events such as fascism and the House Un-American Activities Committee. Despite these concerns, the overwhelming majority vote in the House suggests strong bipartisan recognition of the need for such education.
As the Crucial Communism Teaching Act moves forward, it represents a significant step in shaping how American students learn about political ideologies and their historical impacts. The bill’s passage in the House marks an important milestone in Rep. Salazar’s legislative efforts, being her sixth bill to pass the House in the current Congress. With a companion version in the Senate introduced by Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Rick Scott (R-FL), the Act’s journey through the legislative process continues, potentially reshaping the landscape of American education on communism and totalitarianism for years to come.
Sources:
Salazar’s Crucial Communism Teaching Act Passes House
House Passes Communism Teaching Act’
