Republican members of Congress have introduced the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, a bill designed to protect parents’ rights in directing their children’s upbringing, education, and healthcare. This legislation, introduced by U.S. Sens. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina; James Lankford, R-Oklahoma; and Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, aims to prevent government overreach into parental decision-making.
A Stand for Parental Rights
The bill’s introduction comes in response to increasing concerns about government interference in family life, particularly in schools and healthcare settings. “Parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their child, whether it’s in the classroom or at home,” Scott stated in a press release after the bill was introduced. “Yet, far too often, parents are being pushed out of their child’s lives, and kids are paying the price. I will always fight to put parents back in the driver’s seat and ensure they remain the lead decision-maker in their child’s life” (Scott, press release).
For Catholic parents, the right to direct their children’s upbringing is a fundamental moral duty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions” (CCC 2229). This new legislation seeks to uphold that right by ensuring that government policies do not interfere with parental responsibilities.
Legal Protections for Families
If enacted, the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act would solidify the principle that “parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children” while preventing federal interference with this right. Additionally, it would allow parents to pursue legal action if their rights are violated at the state or federal level (Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, 2024).
The bill does include an important exception—intervention is permitted in cases where a parental decision “would result in physical injury to the child or that would end life” (Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, 2024). While this ensures necessary protections for children, the bill aims to prevent unnecessary government intrusion into family life.
Addressing Gender Ideology in Schools
One of the bill’s key provisions relates to education, particularly in the context of gender identity. According to Foxx, “The Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act will shield parental rights while instituting a necessary, fundamental check against the government whenever it decides to enforce policies that fail to extend due deference to parental decision-making” (Foxx, press release).
The bill allows parents to seek legal recourse if schools fail to inform them about their child’s “social transition” to another gender. This provision comes in response to the Biden administration’s attempt to expand Title IX protections to include “gender identity,” which a federal court in Kentucky recently blocked (Biden Title IX Regulations, 2024). Catholic teaching affirms that God creates each person male or female, and parents have a duty to guide their children according to natural law and Church teachings (CCC 2333).
A Call for Catholic Parents to Remain Vigilant
For Catholic families, this legislation highlights the growing need to stay engaged in their children’s education and moral formation. Pope St. John Paul II stressed the irreplaceable role of parents in forming their children’s faith and values: “Parents are the first and foremost educators of their children” (Familiaris Consortio, 36). As government policies shift, Catholic parents must remain proactive in ensuring their rights are upheld and their children receive an education aligned with their beliefs.
The Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act is co-sponsored by several Republican lawmakers, including Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, and other representatives from Texas, Tennessee, Illinois, Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Georgia (Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, 2024). As the bill moves forward, it serves as a reminder of the critical role parents play in shaping the next generation—and the need to protect that role from undue interference.