House passes Crucial Communism Teaching Act that will teach students about the dangers of communism.
It’s a common sense win!
At a Glance
- The House passed the Crucial Communism Teaching Act with a 327-62 vote
- The Act aims to educate middle and high school students about the dangers of communism
- It’s supported by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation
- Critics argue the bill is too narrow in focus and neglects broader educational issues
- The Act responds to concerns about Generation Z’s favorable views of communism
House Takes Action Against Communist Ideology in Schools
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act, H.R. 5349, with an overwhelming majority of 327-62. Introduced by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), the Act aims to provide educational materials on the dangers of communism and totalitarianism to middle and high school students across the nation. This legislative move comes in response to growing concerns about the younger generation’s perception of communist ideologies.
The CCT Act, inspired by the Never Again Education Act which educates students about the Holocaust, seeks to address a perceived gap in the current educational curriculum. Rep. Salazar, whose district includes Miami’s Cuban-American community, emphasized the importance of preserving the memories of those who have suffered under communist regimes.
🚨Big news: The House just passed my Crucial Communism Teaching Act!
This bill ensures students learn the brutal realities of communism—a deadly ideology that has claimed **100M+ lives**.
Knowledge is our best defense to protect freedom and democracy. pic.twitter.com/Q8vGhevgl8
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) December 6, 2024
This is huge – and the fact Democrats supported it too could signify something interesting, too.
Addressing a Knowledge Gap
The legislation comes at a time when studies suggest a significant portion of Generation Z holds favorable views of communism, attributed to a lack of accurate educational materials. The Act aims to counter this trend by providing comprehensive resources on the historical failures and human costs of communist systems.
“By passing my Crucial Communism Teaching Act, the House of Representatives will ensure future generations will remember the pain and suffering caused by the brutal communist ideology. My community in Miami understands the evils of communism very well, and we must ensure all Americans are aware of the death and misery it has caused. Their stories and memories will now live on in the minds of our youth,” Rep. María Elvira Salazar said.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, a key supporter of the Act, will assist in creating educational resources. These will include an oral history series titled “Portraits in Patriotism,” featuring stories from survivors of communist regimes. This approach aims to provide students with firsthand accounts of life under totalitarian rule, making the lessons more impactful and relatable.
Bipartisan Support and Criticism
The CCT Act has garnered support from both sides of the aisle, with House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik among its cosponsors. Speaker Mike Johnson praised the legislation, emphasizing its importance in the face of challenges from adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.
As the Crucial Communism Teaching Act moves to the Senate, where Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced a companion version, America waits and hopes the Senate sees sense and backs it.
