TULSA, OK – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Promoting Responsible Oversight to Eliminate Communist Teachings for Our Kids (PROTECT Our Kids) Act, legislation to prohibit federal funding through the Department of Education for any school which continues to host a Confucius Classroom. 

Confucius Classrooms are Chinese language and learning centers in elementary and secondary schools which are funded or otherwise supported by the Chinese government. The PROTECT Our Kids Act allows one year for schools to stop partnering with the CCP, or any third party funded by the CCP, and requires the Department of Education to give notice to impacted schools. 

“Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence in our schools and universities cannot continue unchecked,” said Rep. Hern. “Our children are our most precious resource, we must protect them from CCP-funded influence. The PROTECT Our Kids Act will halt the flow of CCP money and propaganda into our K-12 schools – we can’t pass it soon enough!” 

Original co-sponsors of the legislation include: GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, Representatives Tim Walberg, Beth Van Duyne, Mark Alford, Brian Babin, Bob Good, Ben Cline, Jake Ellzey, Josh Brecheen, Randy Weber, Jake Laturner, Ronny Jackson, Andy Ogles, Burgess Owens, Bill Huizenga, Scott Franklin, Andrew Clyde, Robert Aderholt, Joe Wilson, Rick Allen, Nathaniel Moran, Chuck Edwards, Doug LaMalfa, Jim Baird, Austin Scott, and Debbie Lesko. 

Parents Defending Education supports the PROTECT Our Kids Act: “Foreign funding from a known adversary has no place in America’s classrooms. Not only could this potentially compromise our educational property, but it also has broader national security implications that should concern every American. At PDE Action, we are pleased to see members of Congress engaged on this issue and working to provide solutions to protect schools and students from foreign influence. We are proud to support Rep. Kevin Hern’s legislation, which aims to stop CCP-linked funding from flowing into K-12 schools. This is a solid path forward that will strengthen the security of our students, curriculums, and academic institutions.”

Bill text can be found here.