Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Asa HutchinsonThree-quarters of ICU beds across country are full No more ICU beds in Arkansas for COVID-19 patients, governor says Hochul makes New York the 31st state to have had a female governor MORE (R) on Monday allowed a bill targeting "critical race theory" in state agencies to become law without his signature.
The Associated Press reported that Hutchinson refused to sign the legislation and said that it "does not address any problem that exists" — but he did not attempt to veto it, either.
The legislation bars state agencies from teaching any "divisive" concepts during racial and cultural sensitivity trainings, including any concept that teaches that the U.S. is an inherently racist nation.
"[T]he paperwork and manpower requirements are unnecessary," Hutchinson said in a statement, according to the AP.
Arkansas's newest law is one of several being advanced by GOP legislatures around the country aimed at addressing critical race theory, a new frequent target of conservative ire that many right-leaning politicians have blamed for advancing progressive views on race and culture.
A group of Republican senators led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellLindsey Graham: 'I think Joe Biden deserves to be impeached' Biden hands GOP rare unity moment in post-Trump era House approves John Lewis voting rights measure MORE (Ky.) recently wrote to President Biden
Joe BidenBriahna Joy Gray: Progressives can be successful candidates on 'small-dollar donations' Trump accuses Jan. 6 panel of trying to distract Overnight Defense & National Security — Breakneck evacuations continue as Biden mulls deadline MORE's Education secretary, Miguel Cardona
Miguel CardonaThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden continues to grapple with Afghanistan chaos Cardona says civil rights probes may be launched over school mask bans Sunday shows preview: Chaos in Kabul mars US evacuation efforts MORE, arguing that a proposed rule promoting education programs addressing systemic racism is "divisive nonsense."
“Families did not ask for this divisive nonsense. Voters did not vote for it,” the senators wrote. “Americans never decided our children should be taught that our country is inherently evil.”
