The PEACE Act of 2025 (Protect Equality And Civics Education Act) would veto the use of certain federal funds for American History and Civics Education on curricula, teaching, or counseling that “promotes or compels” a listed set of divisive concepts. Specifically, it adds a prohibition to funds under Section 2231 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to ensure that federally funded programs do not promote or compel these ideas, as defined by the priorities in a Department of Education rule (the proposed priorities for American History and Civics Education, published in 86 Federal Register 20348, April 19, 2021). The bill sets out detailed definitions of what counts as promoting or compelling a divisive concept, including various forms of race-based stereotyping, scapegoating, and claims about race and discrimination. In short, if a program funded with these federal dollars teaches or counsels in ways that align with those concepts, it would lose funding. Status and sponsorship indicate this is a introduced Senate bill (as of the provided text) and not yet law.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The bill may be cited as the Protect Equality And Civics Education Act of 2025, also called the PEACE Act of 2025.
- 2Prohibition on funds: None of the funds available to carry out the subpart may be used for curriculum, teaching, or counseling that promotes or compels a divisive concept under the priorities noticed in the DOE’s proposed rule related to American History and Civics Education.
- 3Reference rule: The prohibited concepts are tied to the DOE proposed priorities published at 86 Fed. Reg. 20348 (April 19, 2021).
- 4Definitions of divisive concepts: The bill enumerates a detailed list of concepts considered divisive, including ideas like one race being inherently superior, the United States being fundamentally racist, individuals being inherently racist due to their race, race-based discrimination, and others (nine specific items). It also defines race scapegoating and race stereotyping.
- 5Scope of restriction: Applies to funds “made available to carry out this subpart” of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, meaning it targets federal funding used for American History and Civics Education programs.
- 6Legislative status: Introduced in the Senate by Mr. Risch (and co-sponsors) in the 119th Congress; status shown as introduced.