House Passes Bill Requiring Parental Consent for Student Gender Changes
House Republicans secure narrow victory on parental consent bill affecting transgender student policies in public schools nationwide.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House passed legislation Wednesday requiring public elementary and middle schools to obtain parental consent before updating student pronouns, gender markers, or preferred names on records as a condition of receiving federal funding.
The Republican-led measure passed by a narrow 217-198 margin, with eight Democrats supporting the bill. Fifteen House members did not vote on the legislation.
The Democrats who voted with Republicans included Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Cleo Fields of Louisiana, Laura Gillen of New York, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state, and Eugene Vindman of Virginia.
Restrictions on Federal Education Funding
The legislation would bar federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 from being used “to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology.” The act provides federal aid to schools across the country.
Schools would also need parental permission before changing “sex-based accommodations” to allow students to access locker rooms or bathrooms consistent with their gender identity rather than their biological sex.
Supporters Cite Parental Rights
Rep. Tim Walberg, chair of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, defended the measure during floor debate, saying it “takes strides to restore parental rights and educational sanity.”
“The bill affirms the right of parents to be in charge of their children’s upbringing and ensures schools remain partners in a child’s education,” the Michigan Republican said. “It also establishes clear guardrails to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to support learning, not indoctrinate kids in radical ideology and agendas.”
Walberg led the bill alongside Rep. Burgess Owens, a Utah Republican who brought forth a separate measure that was later incorporated into the legislation. Owens’ provision specifically bars the use of federal funds “to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology.”
Next Steps for Legislation
The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain given the chamber’s composition and previous voting patterns on similar legislation.
The measure represents the latest effort by congressional Republicans to address what they characterize as federal overreach in local education decisions, particularly regarding policies affecting transgender students in schools.
The legislation would affect thousands of public schools nationwide that receive federal education funding through various programs administered under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
