Wisconsin Rep. Fitzgerald Sends Letter to Biden Admin Demanding Briefing on Threats Against Parents

 

Wisconsin Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI-05) sent a letter, along with the Republican Committee on Education and Labor (RCEL) colleagues, demanding a briefing regarding the Biden administration’s threats against parents involved in their children’s education.

Fitzgerald said, “Parents who advocate for their children’s education should be applauded not labeled as a threat and intimidated to stay silent as the DOJ and [the U.S. Department of Education] have recently done.”

Fitzgerald says he is demanding “accountability” from the Biden administration for the “recent scare tactics.”

He said this is why he sees the need for his Curriculum Review of Teachings (CRT) Transparency bill.

“This is precisely why I introduced the CRT Transparency Act, a bill that would ensure schools make their curriculum publicly available online to increase transparency in schools,” the representative said.

Fitzgerald said he and others on the committee want to “encourage parent engagement, unlike the Biden Admin.” The letter was signed by 23 members of Congress, every RCEL member.

The letter from Fitzgerald and his colleagues was addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Miguel Cardona, the secretary of the United States Department of Education.

A press release from the RCEL says, “The Members specifically highlight Secretary Cardona’s disparaging comments towards parents, calling them ‘angry their guy didn’t win,’ and the Department of Justice’s memo instructing the FBI to squash parents’ first amendment rights.”

The lawmakers began the letter by saying that they condemn violence, writing that “Violence and threats of violence are never acceptable. Neither are school boards hiding behind law enforcement rather than dealing with parents’ sincere concerns.”

“Instead of dismissing parents’ concerns, you should listen and meaningfully engage with these parents. Then you should work to understand their concerns, show their opinions matter, and support parents’ efforts to improve the education of their children,” the letter reads.

The letter said Garland’s memo calling for “a series of measures” to address accusations of “criminal conduct” was an “alarming” move.

“Parents should not harass or threaten violence to school officials, nor should parents be intimidated, threatened, or coerced from speaking out about concerns in their schools,” the letter said. “Your actions to dismiss or threaten the lawful expression of parents’ legitimate concerns is harmful to our nation.”

The lawmakers called on Garland and Cardona to “brief the Committee on [their] plans prior to any action.”

– – –

Hayley Tschetter is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun and The Wisconsin Daily Star | Star News Network. Follow Hayley on Twitter or like her Facebook page. Send news tips to [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Related posts

Comments