The bill
CHARLIE Act
HR. 8705, 119th Congress — read as touching For-Profit Education & Student Loans.
Sponsored by
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
ID: O000086
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 8705, 119th Congress — read as touching For-Profit Education & Student Loans.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
22 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
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
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
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!
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.
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 49 nodes and 22 connections (49 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $127,006
Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount
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.
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.
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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To transfer administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land in Saratoga Springs, Utah, from the Secretary of the Interior to the United States Postal Service for construction of a post office, and for other purposes.
119/hr/4716
Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2025
119/hr/2516