Democrats Have Failed Students

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as students prepare to return to classrooms, it is now more clear than ever that the lockdowns of the past 2 years have dealt a devastating blow to the education of our Nation's children.

Isolation and a lack of hands-on learning was detrimental with students falling behind grade level in both reading and math.

In fact, new research shows that students have only recovered between 15 and 35 percent of the learning that was lost during school shutdowns.

Students are not learning the math, the science, the history, and the English that they will need to be successful, and over the long term, the consequence of this learning loss could be catastrophic for our young people.

Instead of addressing this crisis head-on and involving parents directly in their child's education to help get them back on track, the Biden administration has taken steps to limit parents' involvement and federally mandate what our children are taught in classrooms.

To take on this problem, I am proud to join my Republican colleagues as a cosponsor of the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This important legislation would ensure that parents know what their children are being taught in schools and that they have the chance to be heard and to be a part of their kids' education and not a bystander.

This bill would give parents the right to see their school district's budget and spending because it is time that we have transparency throughout our education system.

This would go even further to give parents the opportunity to protect their student's privacy by making sure that a school cannot change their policy on privacy without parental consent.

Our students are counting on us. They are counting on us to find solutions to the challenges that they face every day in school. It is time to increase family involvement, enforce high standards, and make sure that we are preparing our kids of all ages for success in education. Celebrating Sigrid Andrew

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Sigrid Andrew on her upcoming retirement from her role as medical center director at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Andrews' 26 years of service to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs culminated with her time leading the Van Zandt VA Medical Center's team to where she has been a pillar of support for our veteran community.

Ms. Andrews' years of experience, not only as a nurse but as a leader in operational management, led her to find innovative solutions to a variety of unique challenges that face our veterans each and every day.

On a personal note, Sigrid Andrew has been instrumental in the development and deployment of the Homegrown Healthcare Initiative, which allows third- and fourth-year medical students to return to their communities in central Pennsylvania to care for patients and build the skills that they will need as young doctors, doctors who will be trained to address the physical and mental health issues of our great veterans.

Sigrid Andrews' tireless work to help address the rural physician shortage has been extraordinary and without her, the Homegrown Healthcare Initiative would not be where it is today.

Sigrid Andrews' persistence, her intelligence, and her dedication to excellence has been an essential tool to support the veteran community throughout Pennsylvania.

On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank Sigrid Andrew for her hard work and her commitment to the veterans of the United States military. I wish her all the best.

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