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H.R. 822: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

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H.R. 822: Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

113th Congress · introduced 2013-02-26 · Education · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2013-02-26 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

Plain summary

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a geography education grant program under title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement). Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to a national nonprofit educational organization or consortium, with 75% to be used for matching subgrants to institutions of higher education associated with state geographic alliances, nonprofit educational organizations, or state or local educational agencies. Requires program participants to use their grants and subgrants to enhance the geographic literacy of students in kindergarten through grade 12 by supporting specified activities, including: (1) educational research; (2) teacher training; (3) the development of effective teaching tools and learning materials; (4) the application of rigorous academic standards and assessment techniques; (5) comparative studies of world cultures, economies, and environments; and (6) the exchange of information regarding the state of geographic literacy and strategies for its improvement.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8] · 70 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), James A. Himes (D-CT), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), Tom Cole (R-OK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), John B. Larson (D-CT), Dina Titus (D-NV), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), André Carson (D-IN), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) and 10 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8] reported raising $2.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong113-hr822 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113