Rep. Max Miller Introduces Legislation to Allow Military Recruiters Access to Secondary Schools

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Max Miller introduced H.R. 4522, the Ensuring Military Recruitment Access Act of 2023. This legislation directs the Secretary of Education to notify Local Education Agencies annually of the federal requirements to allow U.S. Armed Forces recruiters access to Secondary School campuses. Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15) joined as a cosponsor.

“Military service provides unmatched opportunities for students and teaches critical skills and leadership,” said Congressman Miller. “Our economy needs highly-skilled workers with ingenuity and a leadership mentality to sustain our growing economy. Our long-term economic and national security depends on creating opportunities for young people to learn these vital skills. Military service is an ideal environment to foster this growth. Additionally, access to campuses will help our Armed Forces meet its recruiting needs so that America can maintain its role on the world stage.”

Congressman Miller concluded, “Efforts to limit the access of military recruiters to secondary school campuses unjustifiably constrains opportunities for young people and jeopardizes our nation’s military capabilities.”

In March, AP reported that military recruiters often “face resistance from teachers’ unions and school board members who don’t see the value in offering students the military as a career option.”

Specifically, this legislation would change the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by:

• Ensuring recruiters will always have physical access to campus locations to share the message of opportunity that military service provides.

• Annually notify all Local Education Agencies of their requirement to allow this access and the actions that may be taken to enforce these requirements.

The text of H.R. 4522 is available here.

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