,i #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cibh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #af1 #bjba,mr4 ,cawthorn 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,mann1 ,mr4 ,owens1 and ,ms4 ,salazar7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife to reform the ,american ,history for ,freedom program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,informed ,electorate ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,a growing contingent of ideological extremists seeking to transform our ,nation's understanding of the founding principles of #aghg and what makes our country great are promoting historically inaccurate and morally bankrupt curriculum at elementary and secondary schools4 7#b7 ,too many individuals in the ,united ,states have their rights of speech1 peaceable assembly1 and religious practice violated by zealous government officials4 7#c7 ,informed and enthusiastic civic engagement signifies and sustains a healthy body politic4 7#d7 ,there is widespread ignorance of western civilization's economic systems and historical events that have created unprecedented human prosperity4 #c4 ,amendment to ,american ,history for ,freedom program ,section #hje of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aafa;e7 is amended to read as follows3 #hje4 ,american history for freedom 7a7 ,grants authorized ,from the amounts appropriated under subsection 7f71 the ,secretary is authorized to award #b-year grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible institutions to establish academic centers or academic programs that-- 7#a7 promote and impart knowledge of-- 7,a7 traditional ,american history2 7,b7 the history and achievements of ,western civilization2 and 7,c7 the importance of civic engagement and the ,first ,amendment to protect and safeguard free society2 and 7#b7 such institutions continue to operate and fund after the end of the grant period described in subsection 7a74 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible institution ,the term eligible institution means an institution of higher education as defined in section #aja4 7#b7 ,free institution ,the term free institution means an institution that emerged out of ,western civilization1 such as democracy1 constitutional government1 individual rights1 market economics1 religious freedom and religious tolerance1 meritocracy1 and freedom of thought and inquiry4 7#c7 ,traditional ,american history ,the term traditional ,american history means-- 7,a7 the significant constitutional1 political1 intellectual1 economic1 and foreign policy trends and issues that have shaped the course of ,american history2 and 7,b7 the key episodes1 turning points1 and leading figures involved in the constitutional1 political1 intellectual1 diplomatic1 and economic history of the ,united ,states1 including the signing of the ,declaration of ,independence1 the ,constitutional ,convention of #aghg1 the ,bill of ,rights1 the ,emancipation ,proclamation1 the #acth ,amendment to the ,constitution1 the #adth ,amendment to the ,constitution1 and the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd4 7c7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible institution that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include a description of-- 7,a7 how funds made available under this section will be used for the activities set forth under subsection 7e71 including how such activities will increase knowledge with respect to traditional ,american history1 free institutions1 the ,first ,amendment to the ,constitution1 or ,western civilization and how the funds will increase civic engagement2 7,b7 how the eligible institution will ensure that information about the activities funded under this section is widely disseminated pursuant to subsection 7e77#a77;,b72 7,c7 any activities to be undertaken pursuant to subsection 7e77#b77;,a71 including identification of entities intended to participate2 7,d7 how funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant non-,federal funds available for the activities described in subsection 7e72 and 7,e7 such fiscal controls and accounting procedures as may be necessary to ensure proper disbursement of and accounting for funding made available to the eligible institution under this section4 7d7 ,award basis ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall take into consideration the capability of the eligible institution to-- 7#a7 increase access to quality programming that expands knowledge of traditional ,american history1 free institutions1 or ,western civilization2 7#b7 involve personnel with strong expertise in traditional ,american history1 free institutions1 or ,western civilization2 and 7#c7 sustain the activities funded under this section after the grant has expired4 7e7 ,use of funds 7#a7 ,required use of funds ,funds provided under this section shall be used to-- 7,a7 establish or strengthen academic programs or centers focused on traditional ,american history1 free institutions1 or ,western civilization1 which may include -- 7i7 design and implementation of programs of study1 courses1 lecture series1 seminars1 and symposia2 7ii7 development1 publication1 and dissemination of instructional materials2 7iii7 research2 7iv7 support for faculty teaching in undergraduate and1 if applicable1 graduate programs2 7v7 support for graduate and postgraduate fellowships1 if applicable2 or 7vi7 teacher preparation initiatives that stress content mastery regarding traditional ,american history1 free institutions1 or ,western civilization2 and 7,b7 conduct outreach activities to ensure that information about the activities funded under this section is widely disseminated-- 7i7 to undergraduate students 7including students enrolled in teacher education programs1 if applicable72 7ii7 to graduate students 7including students enrolled in teacher education programs1 if applicable72 7iii7 to faculty2 7iv7 to local educational agencies2 and 7v7 within the local community and the general public4 7#b7 ,allowable use of funds ,funds provided under this section may be used to support-- 7,a7 collaboration with entities such as-- 7i7 local educational agencies1 for the purpose of providing elementary and secondary school teachers an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of traditional ,american history1 free institutions1 or ,western civilization2 and 7ii7 nonprofit organizations whose mission is consistent with the purpose of this section1 such as academic organizations1 museums1 and libraries1 for assistance in carrying out activities described under subsection 7a72 and 7,b7 other activities that meet the purposes of this section4 7#c7 ,prohibited use of funds ,funds provided under this section may not be used for the purpose of promoting1 endorsing1 teaching1 or distributing material related to the #afai ,project or ,critical ,race ,theory4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,for the purpose of carrying out this section1 there are authorized to be appropriated #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbg4 4