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H.R.8705 / 119th Congress

CHARLIE Act

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

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 7, 2026

Civics and History Advancement to Restore Learning, Integrity, and Education Act or the CHARLIE Act

This bill prohibits the use of federal funding made available for the American History and Civics Education program to fund discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology, as defined in certain executive orders. Further, in awarding grants under this program, the Department of Education may not give priority to an eligible entity on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status.

The bill defines discriminatory equity ideology in accordance with Executive Order 14190, which was published on January 29, 2025. This definition refers to ideology that treats individuals as members of preferred or disfavored groups rather than as individuals, including listed ideologies (e.g., an ideology that members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally or inherently superior to members of another race, color, sex, or national origin, or that an individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive by virtue of the individual's race, color, sex, or national origin).

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The bill defines gender ideology in accordance with Executive Order 14168, which was published on January 20, 2025. This definition refers to an ideology that replaces categories of biological sex with gender identity.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4] · R–UT

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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

  2. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Oct 31, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.8705 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.8705 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.8705 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.8705 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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