The Empowering Local Curriculum Act aims to prevent federal education laws from requiring the use, teaching, promotion, or recommendation of academic content that holds certain principles related to race or sex. This includes the idea that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist, or that individuals should feel distress due to their race or sex.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Empowering Local Curriculum Act aims to prevent federal education laws from requiring the use, teaching, promotion, or recommendation of academic content that holds certain principles related to race or sex. This includes the idea that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist, or that individuals should feel distress due to their race or sex.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Empowering Local Curriculum Act</strong></p> <p>This bill specifies that nothing in federal education law shall be construed to require the use, teaching, promotion, or recommendation of any academic discipline, program, or activity that holds certain principles related to race or sex. </p> <p>These prohibited principles include, for example, that </p> <ul> <li>the United States is a nation founded on White supremacy and oppression;</li> <li>one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;</li> <li>the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist;</li> <li>any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual's race or sex; or</li> <li>meritocracy or traits such as hard work ethic are racist, sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race.</li> </ul>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
The bill prohibits federal education laws from requiring the use of academic content promoting certain principles related to race or sex, like the US being founded on white supremacy or that meritocracy is racist.
It gives local school districts more control over their curriculum and teaching practices, allowing them to decide what is appropriate for their students.
The goal is to prevent the implementation of certain 'critical race theory' concepts in public schools that some view as divisive or harmful.
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If enacted, this bill would affect public schools across the country by limiting the types of race and gender-related content they can include in their curriculum and teaching. It could reduce the discussion of systemic racism, sexism, and other sensitive social issues in classrooms, which could be welcomed by some parents and opposed by others.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Education
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
5326, 119th Congress (2025). "FLAME Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5326
