Quality education is essential to our democracy.  Good schools are the foundation for an informed community, better jobs, and a strong economy.

All children—no matter where they live—deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential.  We must invest in public education and work to ensure its success.  Teachers need to be able to teach.  We need programs designed to close the achievement gap. We need to end the school-to-prison pipeline.  We need to make sure that all of our schools offer the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum that helps build the skills our students will need for the jobs of the future and also a curriculum that encourages them to think, to create, and to find their own voices.

For the college-bound population, we must address the rising costs of tuition.  For those who have graduated, we must find relief from crushing student debt.  I support the Biden administration’s efforts to deliver relief to millions of student loan borrowers by launching income-driven repayment plans and lowering monthly payment amounts. Community colleges should be expanded, and access to technical and vocational programs should be encouraged.

Failures in our education system will affect every aspect of our community, from the strength of our economy to the strength of our democracy itself.  Educating all of our citizens should always be our priority.

In Congress, I am working to ensure that every child can receive a high-quality education and the opportunities that a good education affords.  I introduced the JROTC Cyber Training Act, to enhance the preparation of students in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) for careers in computer science and cybersecurity.  I have also supported the IDEA Full Funding Act, School Food Modernization Act to support nutritional programs in schools, the College Transparency Act, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act for interest-free deferment on student loans for medical or dental residents, and the FREED Vets Act to automatically discharge federal student loan debt for eligible, permanently disabled veterans.