Biggs Introduces Bill Protecting Faith-Based Schools from Weaponized Government

Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he is introducing legislation to protect faith-based colleges and universities from weaponized government.

Rep. Biggs's "Guarding Religious and Career Education" (GRACE) Act eliminates the Office of Enforcement from the Department of Education.

Additionally, Rep. Biggs sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urging an investigation into the Office of Enforcement. A report from the American Principles Project (APP) suggested that 70% of the Biden-Harris Department of Education's enforcement actions targeted faith-based and career schools despite these institutions representing less than 10% of college students nationwide.

In other words, the Arizona Congressman is urging for an investigation into what appears to be political and ideological bias against these schools.

Biggs sounded the alarm about this apparent targeting in September, pointing to a $14 million fine against Liberty University in March 2024 for supposedly failing to comply with federal campus crime-reporting standards. While the issue was acknowledged by Liberty, Michigan State University was fined just $4.5 million for failing to report the sexual crimes of former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

Similarly, Grand Canyon University (GCU) was fined $37.7 million in October 2023 for supposed misconduct related to doctoral program costs, which the institution denied and is appealing, while Ashland University, which features a program for incarcerated students, received a $6 million reimbursement request from the Department of Education for allegedly using an incorrect formula to calculate Pell Grants given to incarcerated students.

"Congress must codify President Trump's to ensure that the government can never again be weaponized against American citizens," Biggs briefly stated in his explanation of the bill and letter on X.

In January, the Arizona Congressman introduced several bills aimed at de-weaponizing the federal government, including defunding the Fulton County District Attorney's office in Georgia and the Manhattan District Attorney's office in New York City for prosecuting President-elect Donald Trump in what many Republicans argue were politically motivated acts of lawfare.

Other measures included the prohibition of state or local law enforcement agencies from using funds or property seized through asset forfeiture to investigate or prosecute the President, Vice President, or a candidate for the Office of President in a criminal case.