Published On 8/9/2022
New legislation being introduced in Congress would green light the use of untouched COVID-19 relief funds allocated to schools to go toward "hardening" premises with physical security measures, as the nation grapples with several mass shooting incidents in recent weeks.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., has partnered with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont, and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., in pushing forward a new bill, the "Safe Schools Act." Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., is introducing a companion bill in the House. The lawmakers say there are $150 billion of available COVID-19 relief funds that have yet to be spent by schools, and the money should be put toward security measures.