[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4384 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4384
To authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to support
educational programs in civics and history, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 13, 2022
Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. King, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Kelly,
and Mr. Cassidy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to support
educational programs in civics and history, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Civics Secures Democracy Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES; RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to support local educational agencies, elementary
schools, and secondary schools in selecting and making
available to all students innovative, engaging curricula and
programs in civics and history that prepare them to understand
American Government and engage in American democratic practices
as citizens and residents of the United States;
(2) to provide resources to institutions of higher
education for the purposes of offering effective professional
development opportunities to enable and encourage teachers to
deliver instruction that engages students in learning civics
and history;
(3) to provide resources to nonprofit organizations that
have developed, or are developing, programs in civics education
that incorporate practices that are proven to be effective in
engaging students, and to assist in making such curricula and
programs more widely available to schools and students,
particularly in rural and inner-city urban areas that have
traditionally been underserved by civics learning programs;
(4) to provide resources to continue and expand research
into practices, methods, and approaches that are effective in
instructing elementary and secondary school students in civics
and history;
(5) to diversify the civics, history, and government
education workforce by offering targeted incentives and
honoring those who commit to the profession;
(6) to encourage participation in the National Assessment
of Educational Progress assessments in civics and history in
grades 4, 8, and 12, using a methodology sufficient to provide
accurate State-level data on student proficiency in civics and
history, disaggregated so as to have statistical significance
for every State;
(7) to reauthorize and modernize the existing Federal
civics education grant program for institutions of higher
education, including by strengthening academic independence and
supporting partnerships between academic centers and local
educational agencies; and
(8) to strengthen and make independently sustainable the
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation Trust Fund and the James
Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund, which respectively
support exceptional Americans who aspire to careers in public
service and as secondary school history, government, and civics
educators.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to authorize the Secretary of Education to prescribe a civics and
history curriculum.
TITLE I--GRANT PROGRAM
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) The term ``civics'', when used with respect to an
educational program, means a program that addresses the
following:
(A) Acquisition of civic knowledge, including an
understanding of the history, heritage, civic life, and
civic institutions of the United States.
(B) Acquisition of civic skills, such as the
ability to analyze text and determine the reliability
of sources and an understanding of the ways in which
civic institutions operate and how individuals may be
involved in civic life.
(C) Acquisition of civic dispositions, values such
as appreciation for free speech, civil discourse,
tolerance and inclusion, and understanding perspectives
that differ from one's own as well as a disposition to
be civically engaged.
(D) Development of civic behaviors, including civic
habits and practices such as voting, serving on juries,
engagement in deliberative discussions, volunteering,
and attending public meetings.
(2) The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) with respect to grant program under section
103, a State;
(B) with respect to the grant program under section
104, a qualified nonprofit organization;
(C) with respect to the grant program under section
105, an institution of higher education; and
(D) with respect to the grant program under section
106, a qualified researcher.
(3) The term ``evidence-based practices'' means practices
proven to contribute to the effectiveness of educational
programs in civics, including--
(A) innovative and engaging classroom instruction
in civics, Government, and history;
(B) philanthropic and community service linked to
classroom learning;
(C) learning through participation in models and
simulations of democratic processes;
(D) meaningful participation in school governance;
and
(E) instruction in media literacy through the study
of common informal fallacies in logic.
(4) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the
meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
(5) The term ``National Assessment of Educational
Progress'' means the National Assessment of Educational
Progress carried out under section 303(b) of the National
Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act (20 U.S.C.
9622(b)).
(6) The term ``qualified nonprofit organization'' means an
organization that--
(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and which is exempt from
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; and
(B) has experience developing curricula,
instructional models, and other educational programs
for students in elementary schools and secondary
schools.
(7) The term ``qualified researcher'' means--
(A) a nonprofit organization that has ability and
capacity to carry out scientifically valid research; or
(B) an individual affiliated with such an
organization.
(8) The terms ``elementary school'', ``local educational
agency'', ``secondary school'', ``Secretary'', and ``State''
have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
SEC. 102. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Education is authorized to carry
out the civics education grant programs described in sections 103
through 106.
(b) Application.--To be considered for a grant under this Act, an
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary of Education an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
(c) Grant Duration.--Each grant under this Act shall be awarded for
a period of not less than 3 years.
(d) Priority.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the
Secretary shall prioritize the award of grants to eligible entities
that demonstrate the greatest potential to--
(1) improve knowledge among students traditionally
underserved by comprehensive civics education and American
history programs;
(2) close gaps in civic knowledge and achievement among
traditionally underserved students;
(3) improve performance on the National Assessment of
Educational Progress assessments in civics and history among
students in grades 4, 8, and 12; and
(4) provide cost-effective, scalable delivery of programs
and services.
SEC. 103. GRANTS TO STATES.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is authorized
to make grants to each State that has an approved application and meets
the program requirements to enable those States to support educational
programs in civics and history in accordance with this section.
(b) Grant Amount.--The amount of each grant to a State under this
section shall be proportional to the amount received by all local
educational agencies in the State under part A of title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.)
for the previous fiscal year relative to the total such amount received
by all local educational agencies in every State that receives a grant
under this section.
(c) State Reservation.--A State that receives a grant under this
section may reserve not more than 5 percent of the amount of the grant
for--
(1) administrative costs of carrying out the State's
responsibilities under this section; and
(2) monitoring and evaluating programs and activities
supported with the grant.
(d) Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies.--A State that receives
a grant under this section shall use not less than 95 percent of the
amount of the grant to make subgrants, on a competitive or formula
basis, to local educational agencies within the State to assist such
agencies in carrying out programs to improve the achievement of
elementary and secondary school students in the fields of civics and
history.
(e) Supplement Not Supplant.--A State shall use a grant under this
section only to supplement the level of Federal, State, and local
public funds that would, in absence of such grant, be made available
for the activities supported by the grant, and not to supplant such
funds.
(f) Contents of Application.--As part of the application required
under section 102(b), a State shall include a plan describing how the
State intends to use the grant under this section. Each State plan
shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) An explanation of how the State will use the grant to
supplement, and not supplant, other public funds provided for
educational programs in civics and history.
(2) Plans to address civics and history achievement gaps
among traditionally underserved students.
(3) Plans to improve civics and history achievement among
traditionally underserved students.
(4) Plans for making subgrants to local educational
agencies as required under subsection (d), including--
(A) details of how the State intends to distribute
funding to local educational agencies, whether by
competition or through a formula-based system;
(B) how the State's approach to distributing funds
to local educational agencies will take into account
requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3);
(C) criteria by which local educational agencies'
applications for funding will be evaluated, including
how such applications will take into account the
requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3);
(D) how the State will ensure that local
educational agencies will use grant funds to
supplement, and not supplant, other public funding for
educational programs in civics and history; and
(E) how the State will evaluate and hold local
educational agencies accountable for improved student
knowledge and achievement in civics and history.
(5) An assurance that the State will participate in the
National Assessment of Educational Progress assessments in
civics and history in grades 4, 8, and 12.
(6) In the case of a State applying to renew a grant
previously received under this section, an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the activities carried out using the previous
grant, which shall be based on the results of the most recent
National Assessment of Educational Progress assessment in
civics and history, to the extent the results of such
assessment are available at the time of the State's
application.
SEC. 104. GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is authorized
to make grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, on a competitive
basis, to assist such organizations in developing or expanding access
to civics curricula, instructional models, and other educational
programs to enhance student knowledge in civics and history in
elementary schools and secondary schools.
(b) Contents of Application.--As part of the application required
under section 102(b), a qualified nonprofit organization shall include
a proposal that demonstrates how the activities proposed to be carried
out with the grant under this section will enhance student knowledge in
civics and history in elementary schools and secondary schools.
(c) Priority of Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to qualified nonprofit organizations that
propose to use the grant to develop or expand access to curricula,
instructional models, and other educational programs that--
(1) address the learning needs of traditionally underserved
students; and
(2) incorporate evidence-based practices to enhance student
knowledge in civics and history.
SEC. 105. GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is authorized
to make grants to institutions of higher education, on a competitive
basis, to assist such institutions in developing and implementing
programs to train elementary and secondary school teachers in methods
for instructing students in civics and history.
(b) Contents of Application.--As part of the application required
under section 102(b), an institution of higher education shall include
a proposal demonstrating that the institution--
(1) has the ability to train elementary and secondary
school teachers to provide comprehensive civics education;
(2) is familiar with research on practices that are proven
to contribute to effective instruction in civics and history
and will incorporate such research into the training provided
to teachers using the grant; and
(3) will use the grant to make training in civics education
available to elementary and secondary school teachers in the
State or geographic region served by the institution.
(c) Priority of Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to institutions of higher education that
propose to use the grant to carry out training programs for teachers
that--
(1) address the specific needs of teachers working with
traditionally underserved students; and
(2) incorporate evidence-based practices for improving the
ability of teachers to provide effective instruction in civics
and history.
(d) Reservation of Funds.--From the amounts made available to carry
out this section, 35 percent shall be reserved to award grants, on a
competitive basis, to institutions of higher education that are
eligible to receive funds under--
(1) part A or part B of title III of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1057 et seq., 1060 et seq.);
(2) part A or part B of title V of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101
et seq., 1102 et seq.); or
(3) subpart 4 of part A of title VII of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1136a et seq.).
SEC. 106. RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is authorized
to make grants, on a competitive basis, to qualified researchers to
research and evaluate--
(1) elementary and secondary school students' knowledge of
civics and history; and
(2) effective instructional practices and educator
professional development in the fields of civics and history.
(b) Contents of Application.--As part of the application required
under section 102(b), a qualified researcher shall include a
description of the project to be funded with the grant under this
section. The description of the project shall include a separate
section that describes how the project may directly or indirectly
affect civics education generally, which may include effects such as--
(1) achieving the full participation of women, persons with
disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in civics and
history education; or
(2) increasing student knowledge in civics and history.
(c) Priority of Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to qualified researchers who propose to
carry out activities that will benefit traditionally underserved
communities.
TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS
SEC. 201. PRINCE HALL CIVICS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Act (20 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) in section 802, by inserting ``, and to establish the
Prince Hall Civics Fellowship Program which is designed to
diversify the civics and history education workforce'' after
``development'';
(2) in section 807--
(A) by striking ``this title'' and inserting
``section 804'' each place the term appears; and
(B) by striking ``this Act'' and inserting
``section 804'' each place the term appears; and
(3) by inserting after section 810 the following new
section:
``SEC. 810A. PRINCE HALL CIVICS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding sections 804 through 810--
``(1) the Foundation is authorized to award scholarships
under an additional fellowship program to be administered by
the James Madison Fellowship Program, which shall be known as
the `Prince Hall Civics Fellowship Program'; and
``(2) the terms and conditions under this section shall
apply with respect to the Prince Hall Civics Fellowship
Program.
``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Prince Hall Civics Fellowship
Program is to diversify the civics and history education workforce.
``(c) Applications.--In order to be eligible to receive a
scholarship under the Prince Hall Civics Fellowship Program, an
individual shall submit an application to the Foundation, containing an
assurance that the applicant meets the following requirements:
``(1) The applicant holds a valid teaching credential in
the applicant's home State and a baccalaureate degree or higher
degree in the subject of humanities, political science,
government, or American history, or a dual degree in one of
those subjects and education.
``(2) The applicant will commit to 5 years of teaching in
kindergarten through grade 12 and will provide verification for
each year of employment.
``(d) Selection.--The Foundation shall, either directly or by
contract, provide for the conduct of a nationwide competition for the
purpose of selecting recipients of fellowships under the Prince Hall
Civics Fellowship Program (referred to as `fellows'). The Foundation
shall adopt selection procedures which shall assure that--
``(1) the number of recipients selected from each State is
in proportion to each State's share of funding under part A of
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and
``(2) in selecting fellows, priority is given to
individuals--
``(A) who are teaching in communities to which the
individual has ties at the time of the individual's
application for the fellowship;
``(B) who are from populations underrepresented in
the civics and history education workforce; or
``(C) based on merit.
``(e) Amount of Fellowship.--Each fellow shall receive a stipend of
$5,000 for each year, not to exceed a total of 5 years, that the fellow
is employed as a teacher in kindergarten through grade 12 and submits
employment verification to the Foundation in the manner prescribed by
the Foundation.''.
SEC. 202. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.
Section 303(b) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20
U.S.C. 9622(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (H)
as subparagraphs (E) through (I) respectively;
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) conduct a national assessment, using a
methodology sufficient to provide accurate,
disaggregated, statistically significant State-level
data on student proficiency for every State, on student
academic achievement in public and private elementary
schools and secondary schools at least once every 2
years, in grades 4, 8, and 12 in civics and history;'';
and
(C) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by
striking ``history, geography, civics'' and inserting
``geography''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(A)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``(2)(E)'' and
inserting ``(2)(F)'';
(B) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as
clauses (iv) and (v), respectively;
(C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
``(iii) shall conduct biennial State
academic assessments of student achievement in
civics and history in grades 4, 8, and 12, as
described in paragraph (2)(D);''; and
(D) in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by striking
``(2)(D)'' and inserting ``(2)(E)''.
SEC. 203. USA CIVICS ACT.
Section 805 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161e)
is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``history for
freedom'' and inserting ``civics and history education
program'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``subsection (f)'' and inserting
``subsection (g)'';
(B) by striking ``the Secretary is authorized to
award three-year grants, on a competitive basis,'' and
inserting ``the Secretary is authorized to award
grants, at the Secretary's discretion but not less
frequently than once every 3 years and on a competitive
basis,'';
(C) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) American political thought and history;''; and
(D) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the
following:
``(3) the history, achievements, and impact of American
representative democracy and constitutional democracies
globally.'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as defined in
section 101.'' and inserting ``, or a partnership that
includes an institution of higher education and one or
more nonprofit organizations, whose missions and
demonstrated expertise are consistent with the purpose
of this section.'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``that emerged''
and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``founded on the principles of representative
democracy, constitutional government, individual
rights, market economics, religious freedom and
religious tolerance, and freedom of thought and
inquiry.''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the
following:
``(3) American political thought and history.--The term
`American political thought and history' means--
``(A) the significant constitutional, political,
intellectual, economic, social, and foreign policy
trends and issues that have shaped the course of
American history; and
``(B) the key episodes, turning points, texts, and
figures involved in the constitutional, political,
intellectual, diplomatic, social, and economic history
of the United States.'';
(4) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``traditional'' and all that follows through the
semicolon and inserting ``American political thought
and history, free institutions, or the impact of
American representative democracy and constitutional
democracies globally;''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, which may
include the creation or use of open educational
resources'' after ``subsection (e)(1)(B)'';
(5) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) increase access to quality programming that expands
knowledge of American political thought and history, free
institutions, or the impact of American representative
democracy and constitutional democracies globally;''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``traditional
American history, free institutions, or Western
civilization'' and inserting ``American political
thought and history, free institutions, the impact of
American representative democracy and constitutional
democracies globally, or the means of participation in
political and civic life.'';
(6) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Required use of funds.--Funds provided under this
section shall be used--
``(A) for collaboration with local educational
agencies for the purpose of providing elementary school
and secondary school teachers an opportunity to enhance
their knowledge of American political thought and
history, free institutions, or the impact of American
representative democracy and constitutional democracies
globally; and
``(B) to carry out one or more of the following:
``(i) Establishing or strengthening
academic programs or centers focused on
American political thought and history, free
institutions, or the impact of American
representative democracy and constitutional
democracies globally, which may include--
``(I) design and implementation of
programs of study, courses, lecture
series, seminars, and symposia;
``(II) development, publication,
and dissemination of instructional
materials;
``(III) research;
``(IV) support for faculty teaching
in undergraduate and, if applicable,
graduate programs; or
``(V) support for graduate and
postgraduate fellowships, if
applicable.
``(ii) For teacher preparation initiatives
that stress content mastery regarding American
political thought and history, free
institutions, or the impact of American
representative democracy and constitutional
democracies globally.
``(iii) To conduct outreach activities to
ensure that information about the activities
funded under this section is widely
disseminated--
``(I) to undergraduate students
(including students enrolled in teacher
education programs, if applicable);
``(II) to graduate students
(including students enrolled in teacher
education programs, if applicable);
``(III) to faculty;
``(IV) to local educational
agencies; and
``(V) within the local community.
``(2) Allowable uses of funds.--Funds provided under this
section may be used to support--
``(A) collaboration with entities such as--
``(i) nonprofit organizations whose
missions and demonstrated expertise are
consistent with the purpose of this section,
for assistance in carrying out activities
described under subsection (a); and
``(ii) Federal or State humanities
programs, which may include those funded by the
National Endowment for the Humanities; and
``(B) the creation and use of open educational
resources on American political thought and history,
free institutions, or the impact of American
representative democracy and constitutional democracies
globally.'';
(7) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g);
(8) in subsection (g), as redesignated by paragraph (7), by
striking ``2009'' and inserting ``2022''; and
(9) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize the Secretary to prescribe an American political
thought and history curriculum.''.
SEC. 204. SUSTAINING THE TRUMAN FOUNDATION.
Section 10(b) of Public Law 93-642 (20 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.) is
amended to read as follows:
``(b)(1) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to
invest in full the amounts appropriated to the fund.
``(2) Investments of amounts appropriated to the fund shall be made
in public debt securities of the United States with maturities suitable
to the fund. For such purpose, such obligations may be acquired--
``(A) on original issue at the issue price; or
``(B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market
price.
``(3) The purposes for which obligations of the United States may
be issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, are hereby
extended to authorize the issuance at par of special obligations
exclusively to the fund. Such special obligations shall bear interest
at a rate equal to the average rate of interest, computed as to the end
of the calendar month next preceding the date of such issue, borne by
all marketable interest-bearing obligations of the United States then
forming a part of the public debt, except that where such average rate
is not a multiple of \1/8\ of 1 percent, the rate of interest of such
special obligations shall be the multiple of \1/8\ of 1 percent next
lower than such average rate. Such special obligations shall be issued
only if the Secretary determines that the purchases of other interest-
bearing obligations of the United States, or of obligations guaranteed
as to both principal and interest by the United States or original
issue or at the market price, is not in the public interest.''.
SEC. 205. SUSTAINING THE MADISON FOUNDATION.
Subsection (b) of section 811 of the James Madison Memorial
Fellowship Act (20 U.S.C. 4510) is amended to read as follows:
``(b)(1) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to
invest in full the amounts appropriated to the fund.
``(2) Subject to paragraph (3), investments of amounts appropriated
to the fund shall be made in public debt securities of the United
States with maturities suitable to the fund. For such purpose, such
obligations may be acquired (A) on original issue at the issue price,
or (B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. The
purposes for which obligations of the United States may be issued under
chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, are hereby extended to
authorize the issuance at par of special obligations exclusively to the
fund. Such special obligations shall bear interest at a rate equal to
the average rate of interest, computed as to the end of the calendar
month next preceding the date of such issue, borne by all marketable
interest-bearing obligations of the United States then forming a part
of the public debt, except that where such average rate is not a
multiple of \1/8\ of 1 percent, the rate of interest of such special
obligations shall be the multiple of \1/8\ of 1 percent next lower than
such average rate. Such special obligations shall be issued only if the
Secretary determines that the purchases of other interest-bearing
obligations of the United States, or of obligations guaranteed as to
both principal and interest by the United States or original issue or
at the market price, is not in the public interest.
``(3)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), upon receiving a
determination of the Board described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary
shall invest up to 40 percent of the fund's assets in securities other
than public debt securities of the United States, provided that the
securities are traded in established United States markets.
``(B) A determination described in this subparagraph is a
determination by the Board that investments as described in
subparagraph (A) are necessary to enable the Foundation to carry out
the purposes of this title without any diminution of the number of
fellowships provided under section 804.
``(C) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the
authority of the Board to increase the number of fellowships provided
under section 804, or to increase the amount of the fellowship
authorized by section 809, as the Board considers appropriate and is
otherwise consistent with the requirements of this title.''.
SEC. 206. THE CIVICS ACT.
Section 2233(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6663(b)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and (2)
and inserting the following:
``(1) shall--
``(A) show potential to improve the quality of
student achievement in, and teaching of, American
history, civics and government, or geography, in
elementary schools and secondary schools;
``(B) demonstrate innovation, scalability,
accountability, and a focus on underserved populations;
and
``(C) include programs that educate students about
the history and principles of the Constitution of the
United States, including the Bill of Rights; and
``(2) may include hands-on civic engagement activities for
teachers and students.''.
TITLE III--CIVICS SECURES DEMOCRACY FUND
SEC. 301. CIVICS SECURES DEMOCRACY FUND.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``Civics Secures Democracy Fund'' means the
Civics Secures Democracy Fund established under subsection (b).
(2) The term ``COVID relief funds'' means amounts made
available under--
(A) the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-
123; 134 Stat 146);
(B) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
(Public Law 116-127; 134 Stat. 178);
(C) the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136; 134 Stat.
281);
(D) the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care
Enhancement Act (Public Law 116-139; 134 Stat. 620);
(E) division N of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260); or
(F) the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 13 (Public
Law 117-2).
(3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
Education.
(b) Civics Secures Democracy Fund.--There is established in the
Treasury a fund to be known as the ``Civics Secures Democracy Fund''.
Amounts deposited into the Civics Secures Democracy Fund pursuant to
subsection (c) shall be available to the Secretary, without fiscal year
limitation or need for subsequent appropriation, and shall be used as
follows:
(1) For fiscal year 2022 and for each of the 5 succeeding
fiscal years--
(A) $585,000,000 from the Civics Secures Democracy
Fund shall be made available to carry out section 103;
(B) $200,000,000 from the Civics Secures Democracy
Fund shall be made available to carry out section 104;
and
(C) $50,000,000 from the Civics Secures Democracy
Fund shall be made available to carry out section 106.
(2) For fiscal year 2022 and for each of the 5 succeeding
fiscal years, $150,000,000 shall be made available from the
Civics Secures Democracy Fund to carry out section 105 of this
Act and section 805 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1161e).
(3) For fiscal year 2022 and for each of the 5 succeeding
fiscal years, $15,000,000 shall be made available from the
Civics Secures Democracy Fund to carry out section 810A of the
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Act (20 18 U.S.C. 4501 et
seq.), as added by section 201 of this Act.
(4) $300,000,000 from the Civics Secures Democracy Fund
shall be made available for a one-time payment for the Harry S.
Truman Scholarship Foundation Trust Fund, established by
section 10 of Public Law 93-642 (20 U.S.C. 2009).
(5) $20,000,000 from the Civics Secures Democracy Fund
shall be made available for a one-time payment for the James
Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund, established by section
811 of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Act (20 U.S.C.
4510).
(6) For fiscal years beginning after fiscal year 2027--
(A) amounts appropriated for any such fiscal year
for deposit into the Civics Secures Democracy Fund
shall be used to carry out the provisions of law
specified in paragraphs (1) through (3); and
(B) the amount allocated from the Fund to carry out
each such provision for a fiscal year shall be
determined by the Secretary.
(c) Identification and Use of Excess Funds.--
(1) Identification of sufficient sums.--Not later than 30
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and Director of
the Office of Management and Budget, shall identify unobligated
COVID relief funds for programs that have expired that are
appropriate for transfer to the Civics Secures Democracy Fund--
(A) in the amount equal to $6,320,000,000; or
(B) if unobligated funds in that amount are not
available and appropriate for transfer, a lesser amount
not to exceed $6,320,000,000.
(2) Transfer.--Effective on the date that is 30 days after
the date of enactment of this Act--
(A) the unobligated COVID relief funds identified
in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be transferred
to and merged with the Civics Secures Democracy Fund;
and
(B) the provisions of law specified in
subparagraphs (A) through (F) of subsection (a)(2)
shall no longer apply to such funds.
(3) Conditional authorization of appropriations.--In the
event the amount transferred to the Civics Secures Democracy
Fund pursuant to paragraph (2) is less than $6,320,000,000,
there is appropriated to the Fund an amount equal to the
difference between--
(A) the amount transferred to the Fund pursuant to
such paragraph; and
(B) $6,320,000,000.
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