119-hr2386

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2386 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 2386

To improve education outcomes by empowering parents, States, and local 
 communities, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 26, 2025

 Mr. Ogles introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To improve education outcomes by empowering parents, States, and local 
 communities, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Make Education Great Again Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

 Congress finds the following:

    (1) Parents, as the primary educators of their children, 
 should have meaningful choices in their children's education, 
 including public, charter, private, and homeschooling options.

    (2) Federal overreach in education policy has led to 
 decreased local control and has not demonstrably improved 
 academic outcomes for students.

    (3) Restoring educational decision-making to parents, 
 States, and local communities will foster accountability, 
 innovation, and better educational results.

    (4) Policies that respect parental rights and State 
 sovereignty are essential to ensuring that schools effectively 
 serve students.

    (5) The Federal Government should remove unnecessary 
 regulatory barriers and support policies that allow parents and 
 communities to pursue the best educational opportunities for 
 children.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITIES OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

 The Secretary of Education may, consistent with applicable law--

    (1) take steps to ensure that Federal education funds 
 empower parents and local communities rather than Federal 
 bureaucracies;

    (2) review and rescind, revise, or amend regulations, 
 guidance documents, and policies that limit parental rights or 
 State and local control over education;

    (3) promote policies that support school choice, including 
 expanding access to education savings accounts, voucher 
 programs, and charter schools;

    (4) identify and reduce Federal administrative burdens on 
 States, school districts, and educational institutions;

    (5) collaborate with States and localities to encourage 
 high-quality education practices while respecting State and 
 local decision-making authority;

    (6) enhance transparency regarding educational content, 
 policies, and funding so that parents and communities can make 
 informed decisions; and

    (7) ensure that Federal funds are used in a manner that 
 supports student achievement rather than Federal mandates.

SEC. 4. SPENDING LIMITATIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Authority To Reduce Spending.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Education may, as appropriate to 
carry out this Act, obligate or expend less than the total amounts 
appropriated for education programs, provided that such reductions do 
not violate statutory requirements for mandatory funding.

    (b) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 30 days after the end of 
each fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Education shall submit to the 
Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
Senate a report detailing--

    (1) the total amount of appropriated funds not obligated or 
 expended during the previous quarter;

    (2) a description of the programs or activities affected by 
 the reduced spending; and

    (3) the rationale for the decision to withhold or reduce 
 spending in each case.

SEC. 5. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) No Federal Mandate on States or Local Educational Agencies.--
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to mandate, direct, or control a 
State, local educational agency, or school's curriculum, standards, 
assessments, or policies.

    (b) Parental Rights.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
limit the rights of parents to direct the education and upbringing of 
their children.
            (c) State and Local Autonomy.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to preempt or limit the authority of States and local 
educational agencies to determine education policy, except as required 
by Federal law.
            (d) No New Spending.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
authorize new spending by the Federal Government beyond existing 
appropriations.

    (e) No Effect on Homeschooling.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to regulate, restrict, or otherwise affect homeschooling.
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