The Republican party has upped its attacks on educators and school boards citing hysteria over critical race theory, COVID-19 protocols. Some have speculated that GOP attacks on education is what mobilized stratospheric turnout in the Virginia gubernatorial race this week, where Republicans won and where Loudoun County became the national battleground in the fight on adequate education.
Celebrating the GOP's wins in the Commonwealth on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said the GOP would reinforce parents' influence on their children's education by rolling out a parental bill of rights.
McCarthy said:
"Republicans listen. We hear you. We know the places that we can improve and we make this promise to you. We will soon unroll a parents' bill of rights. ... You have a right to know what's being taught in school. You have a right to participate."
He said the bill would focus on education and parents' role in it.
This prompted Democratic Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand to call out the Republicans for a promise she said sounded awfully familiar.
Gillibrand shared a screen shot of a 2019 report on her proposal for a "Family Bill of Rights." This plan largely focused on early childcare, including early education access.
People pointed out that the Republicans' plan will likely focus on far less pressing issues.
She wasn't the only one to push back on the plan.
Education is almost certain to play a major role in both party's efforts to control Congress after the 2022 midterms.
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