Affirming the role of the United States in improving access to quality, inclusive public education and improving learning outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly for girls, around the world.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 66
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-24: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-04T16:58:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 66) affirms the United States' leadership in promoting access to quality, inclusive public education worldwide, with a focus on improving learning outcomes for children and adolescents, especially girls. It highlights education's role in reducing poverty, boosting economic growth, enhancing peace and security, and addressing global challenges like emergencies and disabilities. The resolution ties into International Day of Education on January 24 and builds on prior U.S. commitments, such as the 2017 Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act, reauthorized in 2024.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a series of "Whereas" clauses providing background on education's benefits and global challenges, followed by six resolved points for the House of Representatives:
- Commends U.S. efforts: Praises the U.S. government's work in providing quality education to marginalized children and adolescents, linking it to global stability, economic prosperity, and poverty reduction.
- Recognizes partnerships: Notes how U.S. programs are supported by international groups like the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which focuses on building education systems, and Education Cannot Wait (ECW), which addresses education in crises.
- Encourages humanitarian integration: Views education as a vital, life-saving response in emergencies (e.g., providing stability, health education, and skills like bomb safety) and urges its inclusion in all U.S. humanitarian aid, with better coordination across government sectors.
- Urges budget commitments: Calls on the U.S. government to fulfill international education pledges through annual budget requests to Congress, given the massive global need (e.g., 251 million children out of school).
- Promotes diplomatic action: Directs the Secretary of State and USAID Administrator to use diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and development tools to expand access to quality education globally.
- Prioritizes vulnerable groups: Emphasizes focusing on girls, children with disabilities, those in emergencies or crises, and other marginalized groups to achieve learning equity, eliminate poverty, and foster global stability.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's sense, so it introduces no direct changes to existing laws. It references the bipartisan READ Act (reauthorized in 2024 for five more years), which requires U.S. agencies to prioritize basic education in foreign aid, but the resolution itself does not amend or expand that law.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Reinforces expectations for the State Department and USAID to integrate education into foreign policy, humanitarian responses, and budgets, potentially influencing future funding allocations (e.g., USAID's 2023 programs reached 44 million learners across 34 countries).
- On citizens: Indirectly benefits U.S. taxpayers by promoting efficient foreign aid that yields economic returns (e.g., $2.80 per $1 invested in girls' education) and reduces global risks like conflict, which could affect U.S. security interests.
- On international relations: Strengthens U.S. leadership in global development, encouraging partnerships with organizations like GPE and ECW, and signals commitment to multilateral efforts, potentially filling gaps if U.S. involvement decreases.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government entities: Congress (for budgeting), State Department, and USAID (for implementation and diplomacy).
- International organizations: Groups like GPE and ECW, which receive U.S. support and leverage additional resources.
- Global populations: Primarily children and adolescents worldwide (especially girls, those with disabilities, refugees, and people in conflict zones), with 251 million out-of-school children and 473 million in conflict-affected areas highlighted as key beneficiaries.
- Marginalized communities: Focus on emergency settings, where girls are 2.5 times more likely to miss school, and disabled children (240 million globally) face barriers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and does not require Senate approval or presidential signature; it serves as a policy statement to guide agency actions without creating enforceable obligations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers over foreign affairs and appropriations (Article I), expressing the House's views to influence executive branch priorities without overriding them.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by 27 members from both parties), signaling sustained U.S. commitment to global education amid challenges like budget debates; it could shape future appropriations bills and counter narratives of U.S. retreat from international aid.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (31)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-24: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-01-24: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Affirming the role of the United States in improving access to quality, inclusive public education and improving learning outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly for girls, around the world. — issued 2025-01-24 — PDF (5 pages)