Issue Position: Education
Issue Position
Education is the key building block to ensure future success for our children. I am firmly committed to funding a sound education for all our children and that is I a cosponsored H.R. 821, the Everyone Deserves Unconditional Access to Education [EDUCATE] Act during the 110th session of Congress. This bill would have reauthorized programs of education of all children with disabilities through 2016, which are geared toward children with disabilities and ensuring all children have an equal access to education. This bill would have also built on the specialized programs to help our less fortunate children and ensure that every child in America regardless of learning disabilities is provided with a good education.
I believe that providing our students with the best opportunities to finance their higher educational endeavors is fundamental towards meeting the demands of the children of our Valley and our nation. Therefore, I supported H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 which increases Pell Grants and cuts student loan interest rates which make college more affordable for low and middle income students and families. This bill also increases scholarships and reduces loan costs at no new expense to U.S. taxpayers. I'm proud to say that this bill became Public Law 110-84 in September 2007 and is already working for our well deserving and hardworking students.
An important part of the learning process is feeling safe in the classroom, so I co-sponsored the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 3132). Our children need to be nourished by care and a feeling of security, which this act would aim at strengthening the drug-free standards of our schools and address the bullying and harassment that can be existent in our schools. Drugs and belittling can hinder the way our children learn and it's in our best interest to do all that we can to improve our children's learning environment.
Investing in our children's education is central towards ensuring that America has an educated workforce that will meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century. I will continue to advocate for the greatest education standards for our children and will support legislation next session which meets this goal.
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