Burgess Owens

Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act

This bill transfers specified functions relating to tribal education and job training from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of the Interior.

Specifically, the bill transfers to Interior all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to Indian elementary and secondary education, higher education, career and technical education, and vocational rehabilitation. (On November 18, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with Interior for Interior to manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED's programs with Interior's programs, while ED maintains its statutory responsibilities and oversight.)

The bill repeals (1) a program regarding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; and (2) the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives.

Additionally, the bill transfers to Interior all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill.

The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at Interior or ED. OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees.

The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's enactment.

The bill takes effect one year after ED corresponds with and publishes a response to Indian tribes on the bill's implementation.

Civics and History Advancement to Restore Learning, Integrity, and Education Act or the CHARLIE Act

This bill prohibits the use of federal funding made available for the American History and Civics Education program to fund discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology, as defined in certain executive orders. Further, in awarding grants under this program, the Department of Education may not give priority to an eligible entity on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status.

The bill defines discriminatory equity ideology in accordance with Executive Order 14190, which was published on January 29, 2025. This definition refers to ideology that treats individuals as members of preferred or disfavored groups rather than as individuals, including listed ideologies (e.g., an ideology that members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally or inherently superior to members of another race, color, sex, or national origin, or that an individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive by virtue of the individual's race, color, sex, or national origin).

The bill defines gender ideology in accordance with Executive Order 14168, which was published on January 20, 2025. This definition refers to an ideology that replaces categories of biological sex with gender identity.

No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Beginning on October 1, 2026, ED must use an identity fraud detection system to review each submitted application to determine whether the applicant presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. If ED makes such a determination, it must notify the applicant and each institution of higher education (IHE) designated on the application that the applicant is subject to additional identity verification.

An IHE may not disburse federal financial aid to an applicant that presents a reasonable suspicion of fraud unless the IHE verifies the applicant's identity in person or by live video. If the applicant's identity is confirmed, the IHE must notify ED that the applicant's identity has been verified.

ED must establish guidelines for the identity verification procedures conducted by IHEs.

(On April 26, 2026, ED began implementing a real-time identity fraud detection process within the FAFSA form that places applicants into one of four risk categories. High-risk applicants must confirm their identity by presenting documentation during the online application process, including via a live camera process. Applicants who are rejected via this automated process must then have their identity verified in person by IHEs.)

Say No to Indoctrination Act

This bill prohibits the use of federal elementary and secondary education funds to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology as defined by Executive Order 14168. This executive order, titled Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, was published on January 20, 2025.