Hudson Bill to Protect Archery, Hunting Programs in Schools Passes Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) announced his legislation H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, passed out of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce full committee markup unanimously with bipartisan support.

“It is important to fully recognize the benefits these programs will teach future generations, including public safety, confidence, and comradery,” said Rep. Hudson. “As this legislation heads to the House floor, I look forward to ending once and for all the unnecessary war on archery and hunting classes started by President Biden’s Department of Education.”

Last month, Rep. Hudson and Rep. Mark Green (TN-7) introduced the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, in direct response to the Department of Education’s confirmation that they are withholding funds from elementary and secondary schools with hunting or archery programs in their curriculum. To read the legislation, click here. 

This legislation has prompted the Department of Education to reassess its rash decision to pull funding from long-standing, educational shooting sports programs. Despite this reassessment,  the fate of funding is still to be determined until Rep. Hudson’s Protecting Hunting and Education Act is passed. Rep. Hudson is committed to working with his colleagues to get this bill across the finish line and eager to see funding to these essential educational programs restored.

Since its introduction, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act has received bipartisan support among members of the House and endorsements from stakeholders, including Heritage Action, National Rifle Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, Boone and Crockett Club, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. 

 “We are pleased with the continued support and assurance by our elected officials that federal funding will remain unchanged for hunting-related, educational programs for our students,” said Executive Director Cameron Ingram, of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. “The Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act clarifies that funding for youth hunter training and equipment will not be affected by the ESEA’s prohibition of the use of federal education funds relating to certain equipment or  training in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports. Our middle and high school students participate in numerous competitions each year, including archery, clay target and rifle shooting, that are hosted by WRC and funded by ESEA’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and is essential to continuing outdoor education and shooting programs for North Carolina’s youth.”