Ricketts, Barrasso Introduce ARROW Act to Stop Biden Attacks on School Hunting, Archery Programs

September 7, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined Senator John Barrasso (R-WY)to introduce the Allowing for Recreational Resources for Outdoor Wellness (ARROW) Act to stop the Biden administration from blocking funding for elementary and secondary schools with hunting and archery programs.

This legislation would clarify that the prohibition of the use of federal education funds for certain weapons does not apply to the use of funds for sports clubs, teams, trainings, or related activities provided for students.

“Rules like this tell states like mine, Washington bureaucrats don’t understand our way of life,” said Senator Ricketts. “I’m proud to be part of making sure schools have the freedom to offer archery and other hunting-centric opportunities to students without threats from the Biden Department of Education to cut off funding. Nebraskans have a deep appreciation for the great outdoors of our state, and we should be fostering that in the next generation however we can, including hunting and archery.”

“The Biden administration continues its attack on our constitutional rights and Wyoming values,” said Senator Barrasso. “Now, President Biden’s Department of Education is blocking funding for schools with hunter education and archery programs. These important programs help students learn proper firearm instruction and archery safety. These valuable programs decrease firearm-related injuries and accidents. They also connect our students to the long-standing heritage and traditions of America and the West. Our legislation will stop any attempts to block funding for schools with hunter education and archery programs and keep Washington politics out of Wyoming’s schools.”

Co-sponsors of this bill include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Thune (R-SD), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

Background:

Every year, more than 500,000 students participate and are certified through hunter education courses. These programs have decreased hunting accidents by over 50 percent.

According to the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP), 1.3 million students in over 8,000 schools across the country participate in archery programs each year. Nearly 40 percent of these students who participate have reported being more engaged in the classroom.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.