The U.S. House of Representatives passed the PROTECT Our Kids Act (HR 1069) on December 4, aiming to prevent federal funding from going to K-12 schools that receive money from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The bill passed with a vote of 247-164, with all opposing votes coming from Democratic representatives.
Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey and practicing Catholic, supported the legislation introduced by Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma. Smith stated, “The PROTECT Our Kids Act is a vital tool for helping to stop the spread of the PRC’s lies about communism and the operations of the Chinese government, as well as promote the importance of protecting national security interests in America’s schools,” adding, “This legislation helps ensure that American students can no longer be misled and misinformed by foreign governments, such as the PRC, about the empty promises of communism.”
Smith has served in Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th district since 1981 and replaced Frank Thompson that year. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953 and currently resides in Manchester Township. Smith graduated from The College of New Jersey in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
On December 3, another related bill advanced in the House. Rep. David Joyce of Ohio introduced the Combatting the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems Act, which passed with 242 votes. This bill would prohibit federally funded schools from accepting money or contracts from the Chinese government or its affiliates and require disclosure of any foreign funding to the Department of Education.
Joyce commented on his bill: “The CCP’s attempts to shape narratives in our classrooms threaten the fairness and independence of American education,” he said. “Given China’s growing influence in education worldwide, taking commonsense steps to protect our children and safeguard the integrity of our school systems is essential.”
These legislative actions come amid increased attention on what Smith described as a “war on religion” by China’s Communist Party (CCP). Earlier this year, Beijing detained around thirty leaders from an underground Christian church including pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin; Jin’s family holds U.S. citizenship. Additionally, Catholic dissident Jimmy Lai has spent nearly five years imprisoned in Hong Kong awaiting sentencing.
A recent report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom found ongoing imprisonment of Christians by Chinese authorities along with ideological indoctrination efforts and restrictions on worship practices.
More information can be found at https://catholicvote.org/house-passes-bill-to-prevent-chinas-communist-teachings-in-american-schools/
