Michael Lawler breaks GOP ranks, votes against 'Parents Bill of Rights' he co-sponsored

In a surprise turnaround, U.S. Rep. Michael Lawler voted "no" on H.R. 5, dubbed The Parents Bill of Rights in Education.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill Thursday morning 213-208. Lawler, who was a co-sponsor on the bill, was one of five Republicans to vote against the measure.

"I proudly co-sponsored H.R. 5 because, as a parent, I strongly believe in parental rights, age-appropriate curriculum for our children, religious freedom, and transparency between schools and parents," Lawler said Friday in a statement. "This is paramount to an educational system that teaches our kids to grow and think critically, rather than indoctrinate children in one ideology or another."

Lawler said that he had worked with Republican leadership to ensure that "children of all backgrounds would be protected and feel comfortable in their own schools and homes.

"Unfortunately, a late amendment to the bill ‒ that unnecessarily targeted certain children ‒ went too far," Lawler said.

He did not name the amendment, but said he was concerned that it could put vulnerable children at "greater risk."

Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado on Thursday had pushed through amendments to the bill that mandated schools inform the public when a transgender girl joins a female athletic team or is allowed to use the girls restroom or locker room.

LGBTQ leaders to Lawler, Molinaro: 'Parents Bill of Rights' targets transgender kids

Lawler's district includes all of Rockland and Putnam counties and parts of Westchester.

"I promised the residents of NY-17 that I would be a member of Congress who votes my conscience first, not my party, and one who speaks with a clear, reasonable voice, and that's why I voted 'no' today," Lawler said after Friday's vote.

The focus on transgender youth

Brooke Malloy, executive director of the Phyllis B. Frank Rockland County Pride Center, said Lawler's "no" vote signals that the bill was too extreme. Malloy organized a meeting on March 19 with Lawler and transgender youth, their families and educators so they could share their concerns about H.R. 5.

"Congressman Lawler listened to his constituents and voted NO," she said.

"Across the country, transgender youth and their parents are being demonized for political gain," Malloy said. "Words like 'grooming' and 'indoctrination' are aimed at families and communities that support trans and gender questioning young people."

U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro, a freshman Republican who represents the 19th District, voted yes. In a statement, Molinaro said he had worked to stop his party from adding amendments. Failed amendments included a push for private-school vouchers and a move to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.

“This bill originated from the simple idea that parents should have a say in their child’s education," said Molinaro, one of more than 100 co-sponsors. "I worked so this bill was reasonable, preserved protections for children, and included measures that ensure parents know what’s being taught in schools.”

What's in the bill

The bill, which supporters have said came out of parental frustration with school policies during the COVID pandemic and learning loss, was pitched as a way to ensure transparency.

Among its provisions, schools would be required to: publish their budgets and curriculum; offer two parent-teacher meetings a year; and allow parents to address school boards. Schools would have to alert parents if a child isn't reading-proficient by third grade, if a school is ending gifted and talented programs, and if there's any violence in their school.

Much of that is already done in some form by schools in New York.

The controversial aspects of the bill stem from parent notification in certain circumstances. Parents would have to be told about any healthcare, including mental healthcare, their child may receive. They would also have to be told about a student choosing to use different names, pronouns or bathrooms.

Transgender athletes would be outed to the community under the Boebert amendment.

Parents would also be given lists of all reading material available in school libraries. Schools in New York and around the nation have seen increased efforts to ban books.

Democrats offered amendments that didn't make it out of committee. Some would have helped fund the removal of lead water pipes in schools and ensured the continued teaching of Black history and the Holocaust.

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Lawler spoke during the House hearing Thursday to ask for clarification on the bill, saying he had met with families, and transgender youth, to hear their concerns.

Lawler asked if the bill required disclosure of a students' discussions with school personnel.

U.S Rep. Virginia Foxx, Republican leader of the Education and Labor Committee, said it wouldn't require such disclosure.

The disclosure comes when the school takes an action, like allowing different bathroom use or pronouns.

On Friday, Lawler said he hoped that as the bill moves through the legislative process, "we can further clarify the language and ensure both the fundamental rights of parents and the safety and welfare of our children.

U.S. Pat Ryan, a Democrat, called the bill "radical federal overreach.

"It is deeply disappointing that so many of my Republican colleagues went along with this political stunt, rather than working on actual improvements to our education system," said Ryan, whose 18th District includes Orange County and parts of Dutchess and Ulster. He said Congress should focus on "real issues impacting our public schools, like getting guns out of our children’s classrooms, raising pay for teachers and reducing food insecurity."

Trans lives marginalized

The "outing" of children ‒ including to parents who may not be supportive ‒ is the issue, those who work with LGBTQ youth say.

The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth.

Those who work with LGBTQ youth say the risk of self-harm comes from the discrimination and dangers young people face.

One Rockland County parent said school can be unwelcoming at best, and too often, dangerous for children like his trans/non-binary child. The father said that his child faces daily slurs and water bottles being hurled at them in middle school. The family's name is being withheld to protect their safety.

Less than 3% of the U.S. population identifies as transgender.

Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Parents Bill of Rights vote in Congress brings no vote from Lawler