Franken Pushes for Antibullying Law

Congress members Al Franken, Bob Casey, Linda Sanchez, and Jared Polis announced Thursday that they are working to advance a proposed anti–gay bullying bill during the next congressional term. 

Senator Franken, a Democrat representing Minnesota, said he planned to include his version of the bill in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, according to a press release.

Also attending the press conference was Tammy Aaberg, a Minnesota woman whose son committed suicide after being bullied. "No student should have to dread going to school because they fear being bullied," Franken said.

Franken's Student Non-Discrimination Act was introduced in May and now has 30 cosponsors, while a companion bill in the House, introduced by Colorado's gay Rep. Polis, has 127 cosponsors. 

"As the rash of suicides and violence have shown, school bullying affects students in both red states and blue states and is an issue that demands attention from the next Congress," Polis said. "I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that all students can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear."