The House overwhelmingly passed a bill to create a civic education program to teach high schoolers around the country about the dangers of communism. The Crucial Communism Teaching Act was approved 327-62.
“Sadly polls show today that 1 in 5 millennials and 1 in 3 members of Gen Z have a positive viewpoint of communism. Wow,” Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said. “That data is troubling, and solutions start with ensuring an accurate education.”
The bill’s main purpose is to help ensure students learn and understand three things:
- Communism has led to the deaths of over 100,000,000 victims worldwide.
- The dangers of communism and similar political ideologies.
- 1.5 billion people still suffer under communism.
The bill’s supporters include Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., who is the daughter of Cuban exiles.
“America’s youth has been brainwashed by the media and academia over the last thirty years to believe that communism is good. What a travesty, what a horror. Ask my parents and my community if that is true,” Salazar said.
Lawmakers who raised concern about the bill said it was too narrowly tailored and leaves out information about other dangerous ideologies.
“If we truly want to educate students about the dangers of extremism, we should be teaching them about all forms,” Rep. Robert Scott, D-Va., said. “Not just communism but how about fascism and other ideologies which have sought to strip people of their rights and freedoms.”
The bill has not passed the Senate, and this late in the year, it’s unlikely to get a vote. But Republicans will have majorities in both chambers next year, so expect the bill’s sponsors to bring it up again.