WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined 24 of her Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Allowing for Recreational Resources for Outdoor Wellness (ARROW) Act. The bill would stop the Biden administration from blocking funding for elementary and secondary schools with hunting and archery programs. U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) led the introduction of the legislation.
“Basic archery and hunter education programs teach Nebraska students important safety skills. They also provide our youth with a valuable athletic outlet. I’m pleased to co-lead this legislation because President Biden’s Department of Education has no business disrupting Nebraska schools and blocking funding for these critical initiatives,” said Senator Fischer.
In addition to Senators Fischer and Barrasso, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
Background:
The ARROW Act would clarify that the prohibition of the use of federal education funds for certain weapons does not apply to the use of funds for sports clubs, teams, trainings, or related activities provided for students.
Last month, Senator Fischer joined a letter to President Biden urging the administration to withdraw any plans to block funding for schools with hunting and archery programs.
Every year, more than 500,000 students participate and are certified through hunter education courses. These programs have decreased hunting accidents by over 50 percent.
According to the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP), 1.3 million students in over 8,000 schools across the country participate in archery programs each year. Nearly 40 percent of these students who participate have reported being more engaged in the classroom.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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