Exclusive: House Republicans are launching an investigation into the Department of Education for allowing COVID-19 relief funds to go to “racially biased” and other far-left programs in public schools.

James Comer (R-Ky.), a ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Virginia Fox (RN.C.), a ranking member of the Education and Labor Committee, issued a series of letters signed by 30 Republican lawmakers. and sent to Secretary of Education Miguel on Wednesday afternoon. Cardona and others.

“Republicans are investigating the use of COVID-19 relief funds devoted to mitigating the virus and safely reopening schools,” lawmakers said in the letter. “Based on recent reports, the Department of Education has announced that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and related COVID Relief Funds will reduce racially biased programs and other progressive left-wing programs. I am authorizing you to pay to

They said Congress allocated $13.2 billion for the CARES Act and $54.3 billion for the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Budget Act for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Evaluate the learning loss.

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Miguel Cardona speaks after being named Secretary of Education on December 23, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.
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An additional $122 billion was provided under President Biden’s signature bill, the American Relief Plan, to reopen schools and “address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the country’s students.”

But instead of using ESSER funds to address learning losses, Republican lawmakers say some states, such as California, New York, and Illinois, are using these funds to “promote progressive left causes.” ‘, he said.

The congressman said California will use ESSER funds for “LGBTQ + cultural competence” training, New York will use $9 billion to develop “equity warriors,” and Illinois will spend more than $5 billion on “equity warriors.” It cites that it was allegedly used for “equity-driven investments.”

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Lawmakers also accuse at least 10 other states of having plans that include “proposals to use ESSER funds to implement racially biased curricula and programs based on serious race theories.” is doing.

An aide to a Republican committee argued that the use of funds for equity and diversity is a legal requirement to reopen schools and compensate for lost learning, even though there are no meaningful guardrails in the law. outside its intended purpose.

The COVID Relief Act includes a final catch-all provision that authorizes spending for “other activities necessary to maintain the continued operation of services at local educational institutions,” although certain There is no mention of training or curriculum for

According to the letter, Republicans will remove all documents and documents related to the use of ESSER funds used for critical race theory, diversity, equity and inclusion, and other racially biased training or programs. Requesting communication.

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The letter was sent to Cardona, Department of Education Inspector General Sandra Bruce, New York State Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, Illinois Board of Education Superintendent Carmen Ayala, and California Department of Education Superintendent and Director of Education Tony Thurmond.

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None of the above agencies immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Cardona has previously denied that K-12 schools teach important racial theories.