Salazar’s Crucial Communism Teaching Act Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 5349, Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s (R-FL) Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act in an enormous 327-62 vote. Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the companion version in the Senate.
At a time when nearly a third of Generation Z has a positive opinion of communism, ensuring access to quality educational materials on the horrors of this bloody ideology must remain a top priority.
“By passing my Crucial Communism Teaching Act, the House of Representatives will ensure future generations will remember the pain and suffering caused by the brutal communist ideology,” said Rep. María Elvira Salazar. “My community in Miami understands the evils of communism very well, and we must ensure all Americans are aware of the death and misery it has caused. Their stories and memories will now live on in the minds of our youth.”
The CCT Act makes educational materials available through the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to help educate middle and high school students about the dangers of communism and totalitarianism, and how they are contrary to the founding principles of freedom and democracy in the United States.
Over 100 million people have died due to the tragic legacy of communism. However, due to a lack of accurate education materials, almost one-third of Generation-Z members have a favorable view of communism.
The CCT Act framework is inspired by the Never Again Education Act, passed by Congress in 2020, which created a program to educate American students about the Holocaust through the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The bill also continues similar efforts by Florida and other states to educate American students on the failed experiment of communism throughout history.
The Crucial Communism Teaching Act will be Congresswoman Salazar’s sixth bill to be passed by the House of Representatives this Congress, in addition to several other bills that have been signed into law.
Click here to watch Congresswoman Salazar’s full remarks in defense of her legislation.
“Communism has a long, dark history of political suppression, persecution, and violence. Unfortunately, the realities of communism are often overlooked or downplayed in our educational system, allowing malign foreign actors to push their agendas and influence American institutions. As we face growing challenges from adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act takes a stand against this dangerous trend. It is more important than ever that our students are taught the true dangers of communism and the importance of safeguarding our freedoms. I appreciate Congresswoman Salazar for her leadership and ensuring that the future of our country’s education system is rooted in the lessons of history and the preservation of our values,” said Speaker Mike Johnson.
“The Berlin Wall may have fallen in 1989, but the evil ideology behind it did not. Today, one-fifth of humanity still lives under communist tyranny. Sadly, American students are increasingly unaware of the history and legacy of communism. It’s time to right this wrong—the Crucial Communism Teaching Act is a commonsense piece of legislation to ensure that our students learn the truth, past and present, about this deadly ideology,” said Dr. Eric Patterson, President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
“Communist leaders have taken the liberties and stolen the lives of millions of people around the world. The Senate should follow our colleagues in the House by passing the Crucial Communism Teaching Act so that young Americans really understand the threat that Marxist leadership poses to freedom,” said Senator John Kennedy.
“I am pleased that the House has approved the Crucial Communism Teaching Act—a bill I was proud to cosponsor—to help stop Communism from coming into schools across the country. Young American students should be taught the horrors and evils of communism within their school curriculum. This is an important step towards educating the next generation and keeping communism out of our country,” said Rep. Michael Guest.
“We have a duty to ensure our children fully understand the oppression and atrocities caused by communism. I’m grateful to my friend and colleague, Rep. Salazar, for helping to lead the charge on this important issue,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis.
“Communism is more than just a failed ideology—it is a destructive force that stole over 100 million lives and crushed the dreams of billions. And yet, 28% of Generation Z views it favorably. That’s not just troubling; it’s a wake-up call. The Crucial Communism Teaching Act gives America’s students the hard truths about communism’s atrocities, exposing how the promises of equity under totalitarian regimes always end in oppression and misery. If we want to preserve America as the last, best hope of liberty, we must equip the next generation with the courage and knowledge to defend it,” said Rep. Burgess Owens.
“My mother’s family was destroyed by communism and the relatives I still have in Communist Cuba today have severe difficulties accessing things like food, medicine and other necessities we would consider basic in the United States. It’s important for people who never knew or experienced communism to understand how this failed political system only brings misery and depression to vulnerable societies. I’m proud to have joined Rep. Salazar in introducing this legislation and I’m glad to see it pass the House today so young people can learn the truth about communism and the destruction it brings,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.
“It is imperative that our schools fully teach the evils of Communism, so that young people are aware of the dangers posed by governments who abuse the human rights of their own citizens. As a first generation American whose parents fled Communism, I will never forget the millions who have lost their lives to Communism. Through legislation like the Crucial Communism Teaching Act, we can prevent the indoctrination of the next generation and preserve the memories of millions of victims,” said Rep. Michelle Steel.
“Each generation of Americans should be educated about the horrifying death and destruction caused by communism and totalitarianism, as well as the real dangers these ideologies pose. In Congress, I will continue to defend our core values of liberty, freedom, and our free enterprise system, which creates opportunities for individuals to live out their American Dreams,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker.
“As the U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th district, home to many exiles from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and other oppressive regimes, I stand with those who have been forced into exile in search of freedom in the United States. For that reason, I proudly cosponsored the Crucial Communism Teaching Act, which just passed the House. This legislation empowers the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to create a civic education curriculum and oral history resources for high school students to learn about political ideologies that conflict with the principles of American democracy. It is crucial that our youth understand the historical context of ideologies like communism and socialism. By fostering this understanding, our future leaders will have the knowledge and wisdom necessary to uphold and protect the values upon which our country was founded. In a world where the values of freedom, democracy, and individual liberty are increasingly at risk, I remain steadfast in my solidarity with those who continue to struggle for basic human rights in the most repressed corners of the globe. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our resilient and flourishing democracy at home and to helping those still seeking to be free,” said Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart.
“Like so many in my community, I was forced from my native homeland of Cuba shortly after the murderous Communist takeover. Through this legislation, we are preserving the memory and history of millions who have had their lives destroyed & upended by this hateful ideology, and guaranteeing future generations never forget about the countless crimes against humanity committed by these brutal Communist dictators,” said Rep. Carlos Giménez.
“We must do a better job of educating our youth about the horrors of communism. This is the freest country in the world, and education is how we keep it that way. I’m proud that the Crucial Communism Teaching Act passed the House today, bringing us closer to improving our schools’ curriculum and setting our students up for success,” said Rep. Buddy Carter.
“The passage of the Crucial Communism Teaching Act is a win for truth and for the next generation of Americans. Communism doesn’t conquer by force alone—it infiltrates from within, distorting history and undermining the values that hold our nation together. For too long, CCP propaganda has infiltrated our classrooms and undermined the values of freedom and self-governance. This bill ensures our students learn the reality of communism’s brutal history and the dangers of totalitarian regimes. I’m pleased to cosponsor this legislation to protect liberty and ensure our students are taught the truth,” said Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
BACKGROUND:
A 2020 poll conducted by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation shows that the majority of young adults lack understanding of the true meaning and history of communism. The same poll showed that 1 in 5 millennials and 1 in 3 members of Gen-Z view communism favorably.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation was founded in 1993 by a unanimous act of Congress. It is dedicated to the purpose of "educating Americans about the ideology, history, and legacy of communism."
Cosponsors of the Crucial Communism Teaching Act include House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Rep. Carlos Giménez (FL-28), Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Rep. Alex Mooney (WV-02), Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Rep. Pete Sessions (TX-17), Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-45), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), Rep. Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Rep. Lisa McClain (MI-09), Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18), Rep. Monica de la Cruz (TX-15), Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-06), Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-20), Rep. Keith Self (TX-03), Michael Guest (MS-03), Burgess Owens (UT-04), John Rutherford (FL-05), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Tim Walberg (MI-05), and Richard Hudson (NC-09).
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