A Republican congressman has introduced a bill that would withdraw federal funding from government agencies that try to ban books.
“Cancel culture is rapidly encroaching on American institutions—starting in our elementary schools,” Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) said in a press release on his proposed legislation dubbed the “Guarding Readers’ Independence and Choice Act,” or “GRINCH” Act.
Inspired by the fictional creature in the Dr. Seuss book series, the GRINCH Act would bar states and local government agencies from receiving funding under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program if they “prohibits the availability of books” that “contain offensive or outdated language or images” to students, teachers, or schools, with the exception of books containing obscene or pornographic texts or images.
“As we have seen time and time again, the ‘woke’ horde will target just about anyone, even Dr. Seuss,” Joyce said, adding that no American should be “forced to participate in this scheme against their will.”
Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the company that manages the legacy of the celebrated children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel, announced earlier this month that it has decided to cease publication and licensing of six Dr. Seuss titles because of imagery that was accused of being racist and insensitive.