Bill Summary
This legislation seeks to prohibit the distribution of federal funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) that implement or enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students in their public elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, if an LEA requires students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for enrollment, it will not receive federal funding. The bill aims to protect students' rights regarding vaccination requirements in the education system, aligning with definitions established in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the proposed legislation could affect people:
1. **Impact on Public Health Initiatives**: The legislation could undermine public health efforts aimed at increasing vaccination rates among students. By prohibiting federal funding for local educational agencies that enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandates, schools may be less likely to implement such mandates, potentially leading to lower vaccination rates and increased risk of COVID-19 outbreaks among students and the surrounding community.
2. **Financial Consequences for Schools**: Local educational agencies that prioritize student health and safety by implementing vaccine mandates may face significant financial challenges if they lose federal funding. This could lead to budget cuts, affecting resources, staff salaries, and educational programs. As a result, students may experience a decline in the quality of education and support services available to them.
3. **Parental and Student Choices**: The legislation could affect parental choices regarding their children's education and health. Some parents may prefer schools that enforce vaccine mandates to ensure a safer environment for their children. If federal funding is withdrawn from agencies that impose such mandates, parents may be forced to choose between sending their children to schools that do not require vaccinations, potentially compromising their children's health, or seeking alternatives like private schooling, which may not be financially feasible for all families.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5691 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5691
To prohibit the provision of Federal funds to a local educational
agency that imposes or enforces a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on students
at the schools served by such agency.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 3, 2025
Mr. Van Drew introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit the provision of Federal funds to a local educational
agency that imposes or enforces a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on students
at the schools served by such agency.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN LOCAL EDUCATIONAL
AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--No Federal funds may be provided to a local
educational agency that imposes or enforces a COVID-19 vaccine
requirement on a student in connection with enrollment by such student
at a public elementary school or secondary school under the
jurisdiction of such agency.
(b) ESEA Terms.--In this section, the terms ``elementary school'',
``local educational agency'', and ``secondary school'' have the
meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
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