Providing for Consideration of H.R. Guard and Reserve Gi Bill Parity Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act; and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, I thank my dear friend from Pennsylvania for yielding me 2\1/2\ minutes to speak about something today that we need to shed light on, which is an issue impacting an entire generation of students.

Children from preschool age through college have been barred from their classrooms for the better part of 2 years now. Many of us have stated from the start that shutting down schools would create more problems than it would solve, and now the data proves us right.

Still, some teachers' unions refuse to work. They refuse to put the well-being of the students' futures first.

Americans are sick and tired of the Federal Government moving the goalposts and changing the ``science'' to fit whatever narrative they want.

The President of the United States repeatedly caved to the teachers' unions, ignoring the needs of our students to the detriment of our children across the country. Now that he has seen the polling on school closures, he says the schools should reopen, continuing to move the goalposts.

Suicide and self-harm among students hit record highs while schools were closed. Mental health problems are on the rise among kids of all ages. Test scores are abysmal. All of these issues trace back to the closure of our schools.

When schools remain closed, our children are harmed. Parents are having to take their children to work, to their jobs, because they have no way of having their children cared for during the day.

Students need to be in school environments for more than just an education. The social skills developed through their school years have a direct impact on the adults and members of society that these children will grow into.

What will the next generation of leaders look like? What will the next generation of doctors, scientists, or engineers look like if this is their education today? In 20 years, our society will be dependent on this generation in the workforce and throughout our society. We are failing to prepare our children for it.

The future of our Nation belongs to the children. Yes, it really is for the children. Can anyone in this Chamber look at the actions of the last 2 years and say we are serving our children's best interests? The answer is a resounding no.

Madam Speaker, I urge consideration of Congresswoman Hinson's legislation to ensure our students are back in the classroom.

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