A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Teaching Engaged Citizenship Act of 2026. It directs the Secretary of Education to set up a grant program to promote and expand civic education and service-learning in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill also establishes a new Office of Civic Education within the Department of Education, led by an Assistant Secretary for Civic Education. Additionally, the legislation updates federal education laws to include civics and history alongside reading and mathematics on state plans and national assessments. Furthermore, the bill creates an annual Excellence in Civics Award to highlight innovative civic education and service-learning programs. Finally, it requires specific federal officials to jointly develop and distribute educational materials related to civic education and effective citizenship to the public.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
The entire bill is structured around enriching student civic knowledge, participation, and experiential learning.
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill establishes a $400 million annual grant program to promote civic education and service learning in public elementary and secondary schools.
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The legislation provides students with hands-on civic learning experiences, simulated hearings, and improved school curricula.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $400 million annually for grants plus additional funds for civic education programs, increasing federal spending.
- Scored -2
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The legislation commits significant continuous federal funding without offsetting revenue or spending cuts.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: This section establishes the Civic Education and Service Learning Grant Program, which provides funding to train teachers and develop programs like simulated congressional hearings, courtroom simulations, and student internships. This is a positive outcome because it gives students hands-on learning experiences to better understand United States law, history, and government.
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Section 2(d)(4): This provision requires state educational agencies to use at least 50 percent of their subgrant funds to support local educational agencies that serve high-need schools. This is a positive benefit for individuals because it targets financial resources toward public schools located in areas where 30 percent or more of the students come from families with incomes below the poverty line.
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Section 3: This section creates an Office of Civic Education and a Civic Education Advisory Committee that includes students, educators, and community representatives. This is beneficial because it ensures that diverse voices can directly advise the government on civic education policy and evaluate program successes.
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Section 5: This section establishes the annual Excellence in Civics Award to recognize outstanding teachers, students, schools, and programs. This is a positive outcome because it highlights projects that address community needs, such as disaster relief, poverty reduction, and senior citizen aid.
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Section 6: This provision directs the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Archivist of the United States to develop and distribute educational materials to local libraries, polling locations, and schools. This is a benefit for the public because it provides accessible resources on civic education and effective citizenship to communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2(h): This subsection authorizes the appropriation of $400,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out the grant program. This could be viewed as a negative burden by taxpayers because it requires a substantial and continuous commitment of federal funds.
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Section 3(c)(6)(A): This provision states that members of the Civic Education Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation. This might be considered a negative outcome for committee members because they are expected to attend meetings at least four times per year and fulfill advisory duties without receiving pay for their time.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The entire bill is structured around enriching student civic knowledge, participation, and experiential learning. Would children be better off under this? — The legislation provides students with hands-on civic learning experiences, simulated hearings, and improved school curricula. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Subgrants are heavily directed toward high-need schools serving impoverished communities. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The programs enhance digital and media literacy, critical thinking, and engagement opportunities for students moving into young adulthood. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Targeting funding to high-need, low-income schools helps benefit minority students disproportionately affected by resource gaps. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Targeting resources toward high-need schools supports Hispanic students attending under-resourced public schools. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Native American students in high-need rural or urban schools stand to benefit from expanded educational grant funding. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Geographic distribution requirements ensure grant funds reach eligible entities across different regions, including rural public schools. Would people in cities be better off under this? — High-need school funding provisions directly support urban school districts with high concentrations of students in poverty. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income families benefit from improved public school civic education programs and resources distributed to local libraries. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Civic education programs specifically encourage student interest in military, national, and public service careers.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill establishes a $400 million annual grant program to promote civic education and service learning in public elementary and secondary schools.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill mandates that at least half of subgrant funds target high-need schools where 30 percent or more of students are from families below the poverty line, helping narrow educational resource gaps. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Grant programs prioritize high-need schools and community service-learning projects that address poverty reduction and community aid.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $400 million annually for grants plus additional funds for civic education programs, increasing federal spending. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The legislation commits significant continuous federal funding without offsetting revenue or spending cuts.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires regular reports to Congress on grant program successes and the distribution of civic education materials. Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation creates a new federal Office of Civic Education and mandates civics and history requirements in state educational plans.
- 10/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House