CHARLIE Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/8705
Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

ID: O000086

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.

May 20, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the intellectually bankrupt members of Congress. The CHARLIE Act, a bill so cleverly named it's a wonder the sponsors didn't strain themselves coming up with such a creative acronym.

Let's dissect this farce, shall we? The bill claims to prevent "radical indoctrination" in American history and civics education, because apparently, the real problem with our education system is that it's not conservative enough. But don't worry, this isn't about politics; it's about "restoring learning, integrity, and education." How quaint.

Now, let's look at the funding aspects of this bill, because that's where the real disease lies. The total funding amount for the American History and Civics program is a whopping $20 million, a 10% increase from last year's allocation. But don't expect this money to actually go towards improving education; it'll likely be funneled into the pockets of conservative think tanks and lobbying groups who will use it to peddle their own brand of "patriotic" education.

The Department of Education will receive $15 million of this funding, which will be used to create new programs that promote "traditional values" and "American exceptionalism." Because what our education system really needs is more propaganda. The National Endowment for the Humanities will also receive $3 million, which will likely be used to fund "scholarly" research on the importance of conservative ideology in American history.

Notable increases include a 20% boost in funding for "education reform" initiatives, code for privatization and voucher programs that benefit wealthy donors. And, of course, there's the obligatory rider prohibiting funds from being used for "discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology," because God forbid we teach children about the existence of marginalized groups.

The fiscal impact of this bill is negligible, but the deficit implications are clear: it's another example of Congress's addiction to symbolic legislation that does nothing to address the real problems facing our country. The estimated cost of implementing this bill is a mere $5 million, but the long-term costs of perpetuating ignorance and intolerance will be far greater.

In conclusion, the CHARLIE Act is a textbook case of legislative malpractice. It's a cynical attempt to pander to conservative voters while lining the pockets of special interest groups. The real disease here is not "radical indoctrination," but rather the corruption, cowardice, and stupidity that permeate our political system. And we're all just along for the ride, watching as our elected officials prioritize their own self-interest over the well-being of the country. Joy.

Related Topics

Education & Student Aid
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$127,006
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$5,300
Committees
$0
Individuals
$121,706

No PAC contributions found

1
UTE INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$2,000

No committee contributions found

1
PALMER, JEFFERY
1 transaction
$13,200
2
JENKINS, JAMES W.
1 transaction
$10,000
3
HOLSCHER, KELLY
1 transaction
$6,600
4
LISONBEE, DAVID
1 transaction
$6,600
5
OVERHOLT, DAVID W. MR.
1 transaction
$6,600
6
DAICHENDT, JOE
1 transaction
$6,600
7
GRIFFIN, KENNETH
1 transaction
$6,600
8
PALMER, KELLY
1 transaction
$6,600
9
TAYLOR, MARGARETTA J. MS.
1 transaction
$6,600
10
LEVEY, ARTHUR
1 transaction
$6,600
11
FISHER, KENNETH
1 transaction
$6,600
12
FISHER, SHERRILYN
1 transaction
$6,600
13
MCGOVERN, JAMES F.
1 transaction
$5,000
14
HONIG, KEN
1 transaction
$5,000
15
CANNATELLI, ED
1 transaction
$5,000
16
DUCKWORTH, RICHARD
1 transaction
$4,306
17
CARTER, CHRISTOPHER
1 transaction
$3,300
18
OVERHOLT, SELENA
1 transaction
$3,300
19
DREYFUS, ALFRED MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
20
DAMSKI, SETH MR.
1 transaction
$3,300

Donor Network - Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 23 nodes and 22 connections

Total contributions: $127,006

Top Donors - Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs20 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 harmed.

  • Section 2 of the bill prohibits the use of funds for discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology in the American History and Civics program, which could impact for-profit education providers that receive federal funding for such programs.

  • Teachers Unions confidence 0.70

    The bill's prohibition on prioritizing grant applications based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status (Section 2(c)(2)) may be seen as opposing the values and priorities of teachers unions, which often advocate for diversity and equity in education.

  • Labor Unions confidence 0.60

    The bill's language and intent may be perceived as anti-union or opposed to progressive labor values, given its focus on restricting certain types of funding and programming in education.

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