A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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 establishes the "Green New Deal for Public Schools Act" to modernize and protect the American public school system. It creates several grant programs, including climate capital facilities grants, resource block grants, and educational equity planning grants. The legislation focuses on converting schools into "healthy zero-carbon schools" through green retrofits and new construction. Additionally, it establishes a Climate Change Resiliency Program to help schools serve as community resiliency centers during disasters. The act also mandates increased funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and general elementary and secondary education.
Yes· 3 of 36
- Scored +10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill provides significant mandatory funding for the IDEA and mandates school accessibility.
- Scored +10
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill provides massive new funding for climate retrofits, resource blocks, and IDEA mandates.
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
The bill improves the safety, health, and educational environment of school-aged children.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill includes a specific prohibition against using funds for measures that unduly surveil students.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved School Environments: Through "healthy green retrofits," schools can achieve optimal air quality, improved water quality, and better temperature control, creating safer and more comfortable learning environments (Sec. 102(a)(2), Sec. 102(a)(3)).
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Economic Empowerment and Local Jobs: Grant recipients are encouraged to implement hiring plans where at least 30 percent of jobs are filled by local community members (Sec. 101(b)(2)(C)). Furthermore, the bill emphasizes creating opportunities for diverse groups, including people of color, immigrants, and individuals with disabilities (Sec. 101(b)(2)(D)).
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Community Safety and Disaster Preparedness: The Climate Change Resiliency Program aims to increase the ability of schools to serve as "community resiliency centers," providing essential resources like food, energy, and shelter during natural disasters or public health emergencies (Sec. 201(1), Sec. 203(b)(1)).
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Educational Opportunity and Support: Resource block grants are intended to expand educational opportunities, improve academic achievement, and provide support through mental health professionals, school counselors, and social workers (Sec. 103(a)(1), Sec. 103(c)(1)(B)).
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Support for Tribal Sovereignty: The bill reserves specific funding and technical assistance for the Bureau of Indian Education to ensure that BIE schools can carry out grant activities in accordance with principles of Indian Tribal sovereignty and self-determination (Sec. 101(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on School Safety Measures: Grant recipients are prohibited from using funds for security measures that could subject students to potential penalties by law enforcement or unduly surveil them (Sec. 102(e)(2)(B)(i)).
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Potential Impact on Accessibility: The bill prohibits the use of grant funds for any measures that would reduce the accessibility of the school environment for children with disabilities (Sec. 102(e)(2)(B)(ii), Sec. 103(a)(4)).
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Location Restrictions for New Schools: New "healthy zero-carbon schools" constructed with these funds must be located at least 2,500 feet away from any oil or gas wells in the vicinity (Sec. 102(b)(2)).
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides significant mandatory funding for the IDEA and mandates school accessibility. Would children be better off under this? — The bill improves the safety, health, and educational environment of school-aged children. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill reserves specific funding and technical assistance to uphold Tribal sovereignty for BIE schools. Would students be better off under this? — The bill vastly increases resources for student mental health, safety, and learning environments. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes funding for vulnerable schools in low-income communities. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill includes labor standards and preferences for unionized workers. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill promotes racial equity through targeted investments in disadvantaged communities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill supports diverse populations, including immigrants, through its equity goals. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill includes immigrants in its economic and social empowerment goals. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes LGBTQIAP+ individuals in equitable hiring plans. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill addresses urban heat islands and environmental hazards in urban school districts. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides preferential treatment in hiring for veterans. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill creates career pathways and job training opportunities for young adults. Would business owners be better off under this? — Local businesses are encouraged to participate in school-based grant projects. Would women be better off under this? — The bill includes women in its target group for economic and social empowerment.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill mandates increased funding for the IDEA and ensures accessibility in school retrofits. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill targets environmental and educational equity for people of color and disadvantaged communities. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill works to end the school-to-prison pipeline and reduces reliance on law enforcement in schools. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill targets low-income communities through educational and economic equity grants. Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — The bill explicitly includes LGBTQIAP+ individuals in its equitable hiring and support goals. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill includes women in its target demographic for economic and social empowerment.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill funds onsite renewable energy such as solar photovoltaic systems for schools. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill focuses on converting schools into healthy zero-carbon facilities. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill establishes a Climate Change Resiliency Program to help schools serve as community resiliency centers. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill addresses air and water quality through green retrofits and environmental justice focus. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill includes infrastructure for safe transportation like bicycle lanes and electric bus charging.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill mandates local hiring and creates numerous opportunities in green energy, construction, and education. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill includes provisions for project labor agreements and protects union worker access to jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By investing heavily in school infrastructure and local jobs, the bill stimulates local economies. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill encourages local business and cooperative participation in school-based grant projects.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill provides massive new funding for climate retrofits, resource blocks, and IDEA mandates. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill includes funding for high-speed internet infrastructure for schools to ensure universal access.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill funds increased access to mental health professionals, school counselors, and social workers. Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — The bill increases school resiliency to public health emergencies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires grant recipients to maintain public digitized platforms for documentation. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new Office of Sustainable Schools within the Department of Education.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill includes a specific prohibition against using funds for measures that unduly surveil students.
- 7/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts