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EXCLUSIVE — U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) is introducing a bill to examine steps taken by the federal government toward ensuring school safety following the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The Providing Reports on the Efforts Combating Threats in Schools Act, shortened as the PROTECTS Act, will require President Joe Biden to submit a report to congressional committees on the actions his administration has taken to improve security in public schools.
“The President shall submit to the relevant congressional committees a report on the actions Executive agencies are taking to make school security improvements to protect children in public elementary and secondary schools,” according to the bill text obtained by the Washington Examiner.
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This is not the first time congressional Republicans have supported strengthening school safety. Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) previously introduced legislation that would codify the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse into law. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) objected to Johnson’s request for unanimous consent.
“I understand the need to protect students,” Rep. Carter told the Washington Examiner. “I understand the importance of our Second Amendment. This bill will give Congress the information it needs to enact sound policy and protect our children without infringing on constitutional rights.”
Carter’s bill is a pragmatic step in the right direction. Congressional Democrats have been pushing gun control policies and objecting to school safety proposals, but Carter’s legislation doesn’t commit politicians to any set policy proposal. The PROTECTS Act ensures that all members of Congress have relevant information at their disposal before getting deeply involved in policy discussions.
Carter explained why he introduced the PROTECTS Act, saying the responsibility of elected officials is to “ensure that our policies don’t just have good intentions but have good outcomes.”
Uvalde showed Americans firsthand just how penetrable our schools are. The shooter gained entry to Robb Elementary because a door did not lock. Police officers had an uncoordinated response that cost children their lives. These failures will not get fixed by gun control.
A variety of proposals could prevent these mistakes from happening again. The federal government can assist low-income schools, such as Robb Elementary, in training their school resource officers. Resources can be provided to ensure school perimeters are as secure as possible.
“Before we rush to enact sweeping measures that will only restrict law-abiding citizens’ access to gun ownership, we need a complete understanding of what government agencies are doing to protect students,” Carter said.
If the federal government is already working on school safety proposals, a federal report will showcase this effort to members of Congress and our nation. If not, the report will highlight the gaps in the federal government’s response. Members of Congress deserve to be on the same page when it comes to national policy discussions, and the PROTECTS Act will close that gap.
Carter is looking for concrete action from the federal government, including “funding and support for school resource officers, local law enforcement officers, and school safety infrastructure such as alarms and security systems.”
Pragmatic policymaking is in short supply, but Carter’s legislation is a breath of fresh air for our lawmakers. Some members of Congress may disagree philosophically with Republican proposals for school safety reform. That is their prerogative. Objecting to the non-ideological and nonpartisan PROTECTS Act, on the other hand, is not only an abdication of responsibility but a step backward for government transparency when it is needed most.
