In America today, the rights of millions of parents are under siege – this exact moment in time calls for a targeted course correction. Simply put, proud parents deserve to be able to raise their children without the threat of government infringement. This is precisely why I’ve just introduced the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act alongside Senator James Lankford and Senator Tim Scott. This legislation safeguards parental rights and acts as a fundamental check against the government whenever it decides to enforce policies that fail to extend due deference to parental decision-making.

While the Supreme Court and other federal courts have consistently recognized that parents have the right and duty to direct the care and upbringing of their children, they have not always treated parental rights as co-equal to other fundamental rights—like free speech or the free exercise of religion. As a result, some courts treat parental rights as a “second-tier” right and do not properly safeguard these rights against government infringement. The Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act remedies this problem by restoring parental rights to a “top-tier” right. It gives families a fair hearing in court when the federal government enforces any policy against parents in a way that undermines their right and responsibility to raise, educate, and care for their children. For the government to prevail, it must satisfy “strict scrutiny”—the highest standard of judicial review— that applies when the government infringes other fundamental rights.

The Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act also builds upon House Republicans’ Parents Bill of Rights Act that was passed last year. As you may recall, the Parents Bill of Rights Act protects the constitutional rights of parents, and their God-given right to make decisions for their children. In addition to our efforts in Washington, state legislatures across the country continue to make meaningful progress on this issue. The simple truth is that one of the greatest blessings in life is to raise children – it is a solemn and sacred responsibility that every parent takes immense pride in every single day. You can rest assured that I will continue to stand up for God-given parental rights, and fight against brazen attempts by the federal government stamp them out of existence.

Addressing Rising College Costs

Democrats and Republicans agree that student loan debt in America has reached astronomical levels – the pursuits of students in postsecondary education have been undercut as a direct result. Without question, the root cause of this problem is the inflated cost of obtaining a college degree, and there’s considerable room for reforms. Recently, I offered a solution, the College Cost Reduction Act, that:

• Ensures clear, accessible, and personalized information about costs and return on investment are available to prospective students and families.
• Holds institutions financially responsible for overpriced degrees that leave students with unaffordable debt.
• Funds colleges based on student outcomes rather than excessive regulations that further increase costs to families.

To read a fact sheet on this legislation, click here.

New Scam Alert

As more severe storms cross North Carolina, scammers are looking for new ways to defraud homeowners who have been affected. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), if you have been affected by large storms and have damaged property, it’s best to document it immediately with your insurance company. Not waiting to do so could lead to headaches down the line. One of the more common scams that affects homeowners, as outlined by the BBB, involves shady contractors who prey on homeowners who have experienced significant damage to their property.

To learn more and view some helpful tips, click here.

Quote of The Week

“The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.”

-Edmund Burke

Have a blessed weekend,