A bill in Congress would ban paddling at all U.S. public schools. Advocates say it's necessary to end what they consider child abuse.
A New York Congresswoman, Carolyn McCarthy, is organizing a rally to support her bill this month. Houston anti-spanking activist Jimmy Dunne says it's bullying by teachers and administrators.
"Well, corporal punishment is child abuse and it's also a form of bullying. They're hitting kids with boards that leave big bruises on their buttocks."
But Houston State Rep Harold Dutton says he was paddled in school and it was good. He says suspending kids who act up is worse.
"When a kid's not in school, they're learning something. And most of the time they're learning things we don't want them to learn."
Dutton says teaching kids bad choices lead to bad consequences is a good thing.
