Summary of HR 5691: Prohibition of Federal Funds for COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Schools

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HR 5691

Title: To prohibit the provision of Federal funds to a local educational agency that imposes or enforces a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on students at the schools served by such agency.

Introduced: October 03, 2025

Status: Introduced in House

Primary Sponsor: Jefferson Van Drew

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HR 5691 is to prevent local educational agencies (LEAs) from imposing or enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates on students as a condition for enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill aims to ensure that federal funding is not allocated to schools that require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Key Provisions

• Federal Funding Prohibition:

  • The bill explicitly states that no federal funds may be provided to any local educational agency that enforces a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for student enrollment.

• Definitions:

  • The terms "elementary school," "local educational agency," and "secondary school" are defined according to section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

Impact

• Affected Entities:

  • The legislation would directly impact local educational agencies that currently have or plan to implement COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students.
  • Schools that do not impose such mandates would continue to receive federal funding.

• Students and Families:

  • Students who may be subject to vaccine mandates would benefit from this bill, as it would remove the requirement for vaccination as a condition for attending school.

Legislative Process

• Committee Referral:
  • Upon introduction, HR 5691 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce for further consideration.

Conclusion

HR 5691 seeks to safeguard the availability of federal funding for local educational agencies by prohibiting any mandates related to COVID-19 vaccinations for students. This legislation reflects ongoing debates regarding public health measures in educational settings and the role of federal funding in influencing local policies.