“DEI & CRT violate the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the 1st Amendment’s freedom of Speech clause.”
By State Sen. Bryan Hughes
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — “This bill will establish – in statute – an express purpose statement for higher education that our institutions should be committed to creating environments where students are equipped for participation in the workforce and society while also respecting intellectual diversity, but not indoctrinating students,” is what I recently said while speaking before a Texas Senate Committee on Higher Education.
Carol Swain, formerly a tenured professor at Princeton and Vanderbilt Universities (right,) and now a Distinguished Senior Fellow for Constitutional Studies at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, testified that the bill was needed since more students were experiencing discrimination.“DEI and CRT violate the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the 1st Amendment’s freedom of Speech clause,” Swain said.
Bill Banning CRT in Higher Ed Heads to Senate Floor
Higher education is meant to provide students with an environment that prepares them for the workforce and society, and encourages them to engage in thoughtful debate.
My bill, SB 16, clarifies the role of public higher education by prohibiting faculty from compelling students to adopt a belief that any race, sex, or ethnicity or social, political, or religious belief is inherently superior to any other race, sex, ethnicity, or belief.
Ban on Drag Shows in Front of Minors
All of us can agree that children shouldn't be exposed to sexually explicit material. SB 12 would restrict a business owner from presenting a "sexually oriented performance" when a person younger than 18 is present.
- SB 12 restricts a business owner from presenting a "sexually oriented performance" on their premises if a person younger than 18 is present.
- SB 1601 takes away state funding from a municipal library hosting an event where the main performer is dressed as the opposite gender and reads a book to a child.
Bill Restoring Felony Penalty Passes the Senate
Last session, I authored the Election Integrity Bill (SB 1), which enhanced punishments for fraud and other serious election crimes by doing the following:
8 new or increased felonies were added- 10 other new misdemeanors were added, and
- New civil enforcement was added
The bill passed the senate with a final vote of 19 for and 12 against.
Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes is serving his 3d term in the Texas Senate, representing the 19 Counties of Senate District 1 in Northeast Texas. Hughes serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on State Affairs, and sits on the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence, the Senate Finance Committee, as well as on the Health & Human Services, Natural Resources & Economic Development, and Nominations Committees.
