Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Access to high-quality educational opportunities is central to our country's long-term success, and ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the chance to attain a quality education is a priority for me in Congress. The 52nd District is home to many top public and private higher education institutions, including UC San Diego, the University of San Diego, Pt. Loma Nazarene, and several community colleges. These schools have educated regional and national leaders. Continued investments in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education are important for how we move forward, and I will continue to advocate for it here in Washington.

As a country, we must make sure that the next generation of San Diego leaders has the chance to get an education that is high quality without being high cost. Much of our past success can be attributed to the investments in students from pre-k to post-grad, and we must refocus on this growing need before we get behind.

Some of the education bills I have cosponsored:

H.R. 331 -- Would Direct the Veterans Administration to permit centralized reporting of veterans enrollment at community colleges to lessen reporting bureaucracy and would allow more flexibility for veterans in school;
H.R. 521 -- "Transforming Education through Technology Act' would provide school districts with grants to support technology and professional development for digital learning;
H.R. 1199 -- "Safe Schools Improvement Act' would to ensure schools have effective anti-bullying policies, because all students should feel safe and able to learn at school; and
H.R. 1368 -- "STEM Opportunities Act' would ensure that federal agencies and higher education institutions reach out to employ women and minorities in STEM programs

I have spoken out on the need for Congressional leadership to allow debate on bills that would keep student loan interest rates from doubling. See the video below for my floor speech:

For video of a speech on college student loan affordability click: http://youtu.be/U0Qycpxc2b4

Some of the letters I have coauthored:

Letter to President Obama, expressing support for his efforts to protect early childhood development programs during deficit reduction negotiations and as part of the upcoming sequestration and budget debates.
Letter to Sec. of Defense Chuck Hagel, to reinstate suspended Department of Defense tuition assistance programs after they were targeted in sequestration

For more information on my position on education issues, feel free to contact me or give my office a call.

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