Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has argued that it is “fascism” for parents to be informed about what public schools teach their children.
The congresswoman was speaking out about Bill HR5, a parental rights in education bill, that passed through the House on Friday.
AOC says that the Republican Parents Rights bill is “fascism” pic.twitter.com/G83ApGDZi9
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 23, 2023
Under the legislation, teachers must also inform parents if their child wants to change their gender identity.
“The Parents Bill of Rights has 5 pillars to ensure parents have the right to have a voice in their kids’ education: Right to know what’s being taught in schools and to see reading material; Right to be heard; Right to see school budget and spending; Right to protect their child’s privacy; [and] Right to be updated on any violent activity at school,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said of the bill.
Not a single Democrat voted in favor of the proposed legislation. Reps. Matt Rosendale, Ken Buck, Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs, and Mike Lawler also voted against it.
Rep. Biggs told the Daily Mail that he voted against the bill and the rest of his party because “it violates the principals of federalism and the federal government is already too involved in education issues.”
Ocasio-Cortez claimed that the legislation would “force the outing” of children before they are ready to come out at home.
“To say and speak about government reach and freedom, this Republican bill is asking the government to force the outing of LGBT people before they are ready,” said Ocasio-Cortez.
Just to be clear, @AOC is arguing that it’s “fascism” for parents to want to know what the government is teaching their kids. Holding the government accountable, and demanding transparency, is “fascism.” https://t.co/Fw3wFSi5qA
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 24, 2023
Ocasio-Cortez continued on to accuse those concerned about what children are being taught of “Fascism.”
“When we talk about progressive values, I can say what my progressive value is, and that is freedom over fascism,” the New York congresswoman continued. “Keep the culture wars out of classrooms.”
Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has claimed that the bill will not pass through the Senate.
