Press Releases

Washington, DC—September 26, 2023…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted to support H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act. He is a cosponsor of the measure which is a response to the Biden Administration’s decision to block archery and hunting programs from receiving federal education funding. 

Congressman Womack said, “Arkansans know these enriching activities support safe and healthy students. Shooting sports give young people a chance to be a part of a team, discover a passion, and learn proper firearm safety, all to benefit students’ self-esteem and future success. The Administration’s interpretation of the underlying statute is plain wrong. I’m glad to support this measure to maintain this important funding for our students.”

Background:

On June 25, 2022, the Department of Education placed a prohibition on Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funds for school hunter education or archery programs due to its interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which was signed into law in June of 2022.

H.R. 5110 clarifies that the prohibition on ESEA funding to provide training in the use of a dangerous weapon does not apply to educational programs training students in hunting, archery, or other shooting sports.

In addition to supporting this legislation, Congressman Womack sent a letter to Secretary of Education Cardona in August, criticizing the Department of Education’s decision to withhold funding for longstanding shooting sports activities in schools. Additionally, the members expressed that this misguided decision robs children of opportunities to learn about the outdoors and develop useful skills.

Nationwide, roughly 1.3 million kids in 900 schools across 49 states, including Arkansas, participate in these kinds of programs.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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