AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 24, Educating Texas Students on the Horrors of Communism, by Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels:

“Nearly 100 million lives have been lost due to the horrors of communism. The darkest chapters in world history, including the crimes against humanity and mass-killings committed by the Chinese Communist Party, the Soviet Union’s communist government, and the Cambodian Khmer Rouge, must be remembered by future generations so history does not repeat itself. I prioritized SB 24 to ensure Texas students better understand that communism is a deadly form of government. By teaching our students the accurate history about the human misery created by communism, we can protect our state and country from future atrocities.”

Senate Bill 24, by Sen. Donna Campbell, requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to revise the social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements in grades 4-12 regarding communist regimes and ideologies. If enacted into law, this bill takes effect beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.