Kennedy, Barrasso introduce bill to stop Biden admin from defunding school hunting, archery programs
Sep 07 2023
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) in introducing the Allowing for Recreational Resources for Outdoor Wellness (ARROW) Act to protect funding for school hunting and archery programs.
Last month, Kennedy joined Barrasso in sending a letter to President Biden to condemn his administration’s attempt to use last year’s gun control bill to justify defunding schools with hunter and archery education programs.
“Each year, tens of thousands of Louisiana’s students participate in hunting and archery programs at school. President Biden’s move will deprive kids and their communities of firearm and archery safety skills,” said Kennedy.
The legislation would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to clarify that prohibiting the use of federal education funds for certain weapons does not apply to the use of funds for sports clubs, teams, training or related activities provided for students.
“The Biden administration continues its attack on our constitutional rights and Wyoming values. Now, President Biden’s Department of Education is blocking funding for schools with hunter education and archery programs. These important programs help students learn proper firearm instruction and archery safety. These valuable programs decrease firearm-related injuries and accidents. They also connect our students to the long-standing heritage and traditions of America and the West. Our legislation will stop any attempts to block funding for schools with hunter education and archery programs and keep Washington politics out of Wyoming’s schools,” said Barrasso.
More than 500,000 students participate in and are certified through hunter education courses each year. These important programs help students learn how to handle firearms safely, which decreases firearm-related injuries and accidents.
Full text of the ARROW Act is available here.