Joyce offers bill to stop ‘canceling’ kids books
U.S. Rep. John Joyce of Pennsylvania has introduced legislation dubbed the “GRINCH” bill — for Guarding Readers’ Independence and Choice Act — which would prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding what he calls attempts to censor children’s literature.
“Oh, the books they will ban,” Mr. Joyce said in a statement Wednesday, referencing the famous Dr. Seuss book “Oh, The Places You Will Go.”
“Cancel culture is rapidly encroaching on American institutions, starting in our elementary schools.”
Mr. Joyce, a Republican who represents the state’s 13th Congressional District, appeared Friday on Fox News to discuss the GRINCH bill.
He said he’s fighting back and “working to safeguard children’s access to historic books and characters.”
Six Dr. Seuss books — including “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran the Zoo” — will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the business that preserves and protects the author’s legacy said this month.
“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press in a statement that coincided with the late author and illustrator’s birthday on March 2.
“Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families,” it said.
The other books affected are “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!” “Scrambled Eggs Super!” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.”
Mr. Joyce said the GRINCH Act would forbid states and local government agencies from receiving funding under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program if they ban books.
“As we have seen time and time again, the ‘woke’ horde will target just about anyone, even Dr. Seuss,” Mr. Joyce said, adding that no American “should be forced to participate in this scheme against their will.”
The congressman’s district covers Adams, Bedford, Blair, Fulton, Franklin and Huntingdon counties.