A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S3901-3902)

S.Res.246 through Congress

S.Res.246 is considered only in the Senate.

SenateMay 27, 2021IntroducedOfficial record

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Separate related House measures (1)

These are different measures identified as related by Congress.gov. Their text and outcomes may differ; they are not the House stage of S.Res.246.

Related House measure: H.Res.397 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, and national origin.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 27, 2021

This resolution calls on the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Education and state attorneys general to assist elementary and secondary schools in complying with existing civil rights laws and investigate and enforce such laws. In addition, the resolution condemns the practice of requiring teachers to receive education in critical race theory as a condition of certification.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] · R–FL

Committees

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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May 27, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S3901-3902)
May 27, 2021
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in Senate · May 27, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HRES 397 · Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, and national origin.

Source last updated: Apr 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.246 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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Discuss S.Res.246, 117th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-resolution/246

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/sres246/BILLS-117sres246is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-21T12:24:17Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Res.246 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.246 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.246, 117th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-resolution/246

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/sres246/BILLS-117sres246is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-21T12:24:17Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.246 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.246 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.246, 117th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-resolution/246

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/sres246/BILLS-117sres246is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-21T12:24:17Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.246 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.246 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.246, 117th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-resolution/246

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/sres246/BILLS-117sres246is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-21T12:24:17Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.246 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.