Rand Paul: “anyone in need of proof that Federal control follows Federal funding need only examine H.R. 609, the College Access and…”

“anyone in need of proof that Federal control follows Federal funding need only examine H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act. H.R. 609 imposes several new mandates on colleges, and extends numerous mandates imposed on that previous Congress imposed on colleges. H.R. 609 proves the prophetic soundness of people who warned that Federal higher education programs would lead to Federal control of higher education. Opponents of increasing Federal control over higher education should be especially concerned about H.R. 609's ``Academic Bill of Rights.'' This provision takes a step toward complete Federal control of college curriculum, grading, and teaching practices. While this provision is worded as a ``sense of Congress,'' the clear intent of the ``bill of rights'' is to intimidate college administrators into ensuring professors' lectures and lesson plans meet with Federal approval. The Academic Bill of Rights is a response to concerns that federally funded institutions of higher learning are refusing to allow students to express, or even be exposed to, points of view that differ from those held by their professors. Ironically, the proliferation of ``political correctness'' on college campuses is largely a direct result of increased government funding of colleges and universities.…”