Press Releases

Rep. Jim Banks Introduces Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a Constitutional Amendment to guarantee parental rights as fundamental rights and help defend the long-established right of parents to cultivate the education and upbringing of their children.

Specifically, H.J. Res. 36, would amend the U.S. Constitution to guarantee the fundamental right of parents to choose an alternative to public education and make reasonable choices within public schools for their children, as well as ensures parental rights are not denied due to disability of a parent. This legislation does not apply to a parental action or decision that would end life. Read the full bill text here.

Said Rep. Banks, “Parents ought to have the right to direct the education and upbringing of their children, regardless of where they live.  Without fundamentally guaranteeing the parental rights with a constitutional amendment, these natural rights of parents are left to the discretion and interpretation of government bureaucrats and elected officials.  As the father of three young girls, I find the continual erosion of parental oversight and care in their children’s lives unacceptable, and I urge my colleagues to join me in solidifying parental rights as a fundamental right protected by the U.S. Constitution.”

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Congressman Jim Banks represents Indiana’s 3^rd Congressional District and serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Committee on Education and the Workforce.  All press inquiries may be directed to tw.arrighi@mail.house.gov.