Today, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a markup session to consider three bills focused on expanding educational opportunities through charter schools and enhancing protections for professional boxers. Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) delivered an opening statement outlining the goals of the proposed legislation.
Chairman Walberg began by highlighting the committee's intention to address both education and sports welfare: "This morning, we are marking up three bills. Taken together, these bills will help children get an excellent education, equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace, and enhance the welfare of boxers while safeguarding their ability to pursue professional opportunities."
The first two bills discussed aim to broaden access to charter schools. Walberg referenced research from Stanford’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes indicating that charter school students demonstrate higher academic achievement compared to their peers in traditional public schools. He noted: "Charter schools provide these opportunities. Stanford’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes found that charter school students, on average, learned the equivalent of an additional six days per year in math and 16 additional days in reading. Academic achievement is especially pronounced for at-risk students. Students in poverty achieve an additional 23 days of learning in reading and 17 days in math."
Walberg pointed out that federal support through the Charter School Program (CSP) is critical but currently hampered by complex regulations: "Unfortunately, existing CSP code is lengthy, approximately 8,000 words, and contains myriad paperwork requirements. The net effect is increased bureaucracy and making CSP funds harder to access for charter school operators."
He introduced Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s H.R. 7082, FLEX Act as a solution: "Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s H.R. 7082, FLEX Act, would help fix this problem. This bill is premised on a simple idea: Charter schools should be able to focus on what they do best – educating children – not bureaucratic compliance exercises." The bill proposes clarifying funding uses within existing charter schools and reducing administrative burdens.
Another measure under consideration is Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s bipartisan Equitable Access to School Facilities Act (H.R. 7086), which aims to improve access to facilities for charter schools by simplifying program requirements and expanding eligibility: "Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s bipartisan Equitable Access to School Facilities Act, H.R. 7086, would strengthen the facilities section of the CSP by simplifying program requirements, opening the program to 23 more states, and incentivizing states to adopt policies that support charter school growth so more students can be served."
Walberg emphasized that neither bill increases federal spending or interferes with traditional public schools: "Neither of these bills authorizes more spending or more federal government interference. Nor do they defund traditional public schools."
The third bill considered was H.R. 4624—the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act—introduced by Representative Brian Jack. According to Walberg: "This bipartisan bill would create an alternative system in boxing by permitting the formation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) alongside the sport’s existing sanctioning bodies, giving fighters more choice in how they compete." The legislation seeks stronger health and safety protections as well as better pay options for professional boxers.
Walberg concluded by reaffirming the committee's commitment: "These bills are key to ensuring that students have access to the education they need and that boxers have improved protections and support as they pursue their careers. This Committee is steadfast in protecting students and workers, and we will do everything in our power to ensure everyone has a fair chance at success in both school and career."
