GOP Sen. Tim Scott introduces bill that would leverage federal funding for elementary and middle schools to defend parental rights

Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has put forward a bill that would stipulate that in order to receive federal funding, elementary and middle schools must secure parental approval before altering a child's designated gender, pronouns, or preferred name on forms and before permitting any child to switch which locker room or restroom they utilize.

The text of the measure specifically notes that as a condition of getting federal funding, schools would have to get parental permission prior to "changing a minor child’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form" and before "allowing a child to change the child's sex based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms."

While commonsense legislation to uphold parental rights should be able to sail through Congress with bipartisan support, Scott's bill likely stands little chance of advancing through the Democrat-controlled legislature since many liberals support radical leftist gender ideology.

"Schools exist to educate children — not indoctrinate them. And a quality education requires input from those who know children best: their parents," Scott said, according to a press release. "Sadly, radical and secretive gender policies have shut parents out of the conversation and broken their trust. My bill will safeguard parental rights, improve the crucial relationship between parents and schools, and ensure that children can learn in an environment free from activist ideology."

Scott, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2013 and is seeking reelection during the 2022 cycle, is also a school choice advocate.

"Parents know what’s best for their kids. Our job is to empower them to choose educational opportunities that will allow their children to succeed," Scott tweeted on Tuesday. "Our nation’s children should have access to quality education—no matter their background or zip code," a tweet from last week noted.