Finish The Race Podcast
The Texas legislature recently passed SB 24, a bill aimed at educating students about the perils of communism. Spearheaded by Sen. Donna Campbell, the legislation received overwhelming support in both the Senate and the House, with only a few Democrats dissenting. Representative Jeff Leach took the lead in the House, with the bill gathering several cosponsors along the way.
During the House debate, Rep. Richard Pena Raymond passionately backed the bill, urging his fellow Democrats to give it their support. He stressed the importance of teaching kids about the atrocities committed under communist regimes, such as mass murder, forced labor, and widespread poverty. Raymond emphasized that opposing this bill sends the wrong message about the values Democrats stand for.
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Raymond warned his party members that voting against such measures could lead to political consequences. He argued that communism is inherently flawed and encouraged skeptics to visit communist countries like China or North Korea to see its impact firsthand. Raymond’s remarks were clear: communism has consistently led to suffering and oppression.
In contrast, Rep. Jon Rosenthal voiced concerns that the bill might stigmatize certain communities and misunderstood communism’s original pacifist intentions. Raymond rebutted by pointing out that the bill simply aims to educate students on the harsh realities of communism’s history and its ongoing threats. He maintained that there is nothing redeeming about communism and implored his colleagues to think carefully about its implications.
Raymond shared a personal anecdote about his daughter questioning why her school didn’t commemorate 9/11, underscoring the importance of historical education. He noted similar efforts to ensure students learn about the Holocaust. The bill, he argued, fits within this broader mission of educating young people about significant historical events and ideologies.
Ultimately, most House Democrats sided with Raymond and backed the bill. The legislation updates the state education code, mandating that public schools introduce social studies courses from grades 4-12 focusing on the dark history of communist regimes. Students will learn about events like the Soviet Great Terror and the Cambodian genocide.
The curriculum will also compare communist ideologies with American principles like individual rights and free enterprise. Insights into modern communist threats to the U.S., as well as historical precedents for communist revolutions, will be part of the lessons. Additionally, students will hear from survivors of communist regimes to gain personal perspectives on the matter.
Despite the bill’s passage, 13 House Democrats opposed it, citing various reasons. Some members were present but chose not to vote, while others were absent altogether. In the Senate, three Democrats also voted against the measure.
Texas’s move follows in the footsteps of Florida, which became the first state to mandate education on the dangers of communism. With bipartisan support, Florida’s legislature passed a similar law, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed it in June 2021. The initiative highlights a growing trend among states to ensure students are informed about the historical and present-day threats posed by communist ideologies.