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(LifeSiteNews) — A bill prohibiting federal education funding to educational institutions and agencies that refuse to provide students with religious exemptions was introduced in Congress on Friday. The proposed measure comes as four states with unconstitutional vaccine mandates – California, New York, Maine, and Connecticut – continue to deny children of religious families access to education and health care.
The Guaranteeing Religious Accommodation in Childhood Education (GRACE) Act bars federal education funding from being made available to elementary and secondary schools as well as local and state educational agencies that refuse to provide students with a religious exemption to vaccine requirements for participation in athletics and other activities.
“Freedom of speech and religion is the most sacred right guaranteed under our Constitution,” said Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, chief sponsor of the bill. “No student or their family should ever be coerced into sacrificing their faith or jumping through loopholes to comply with a vaccine requirement. The GRACE Act reaffirms our country’s commitment to protecting religious freedom in the classroom.”
“Four states refuse to recognize the right to religious exemption from vaccination for school children, to the detriment of the children, their families, and their states.,” noted Mary Holland, president of Children’s Health Defense (CHD). “This Act provides incentive for these outlier states to join with the other 46 to protect the most vital right under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”
“This is not only an issue of religious freedom but also of parental rights and the right to an education. Parents have the right to decide how to raise their children, which was emphasized in the recent Supreme Court decision, Mahmoud v. Taylor,” a statement from CHD explained. “Children shouldn’t be denied access to an education over their parents’ sincerely held religious beliefs.”
“This discrimination is occurring in public, private and faith-based schools. It is also denying children the right to access extracurricular activities, special education services and summer camps,” CHD said. “Religious freedom is not just for adults; it must also protect the most sacred and cherished members of our families – our children.”
“This bill sends a powerful message that in America, no child should be denied a classroom seat because of their family’s faith,” said Elyse Young, Sarasota resident and founder of Guiding the Impact. “For generations, our nation has protected religious freedom as a cornerstone of democracy, and 45 states already demonstrate that it is possible to safeguard both public health and religious liberty. The GRACE Act ensures this balance is upheld nationwide.”
“Our nation was founded on the promise of liberty of conscience, and this legislation ensures that promise is protected for the next generation. No child in America should ever be denied the right to an education or equal opportunity because of their parents’ faith. To Make America Great Again, we must stand unwaveringly in defense of parental rights, religious freedom, and equal access to education for every family – and that begins with Congress passing the GRACE Act.” said Cait Corrigan, advocate for religious and medical freedom.
More than 50 organizations support the bill, including Moms for Liberty, Global Wellness Forum, Guiding the Impact, Children’s Health Defense, Teachers for Choice, and the MAHA Institute.
Full text of the Grace Act can be read HERE.
