Education is a key element for our nation to continue being competitive in the global economy and stay on the cutting edge of ingenuity and innovation.

I believe that national education policies and federal funding priorities help improve learning environments for students, teachers and administrators in our schools and universities. The federal government is an important partner to the states and local school districts in meeting our children's educational needs.

American Innovation and Competitiveness through Science, Math, Engineering and Technology Education

On May 28th, the House passed the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act . This bill, among other research and development provisions, will strengthen math and science education to prepare students for the jobs of the 21st Century. As our economy recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression, we need to look in every classroom for new game-changing opportunities. At this critical juncture for the economic future of our nation, it is imperative that we invest in education.

Fighting Childhood Obesity

The growing rate of childhood obesity and diabetes is very troubling to me. A University of Washington study showed that nearly a quarter of WA state’s eighth, tenth and tweth-graders are overweight or obese. I worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues, Reps. Kind and Wamp, to author and pass the FIT Kids Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation enables schools, districts and states to get credit under the No Child Left Behind law for improvents that they make the quantity and quality of physical education taught in schools. Daily physical education at school is proven to help kids do better and school as well as develop the skills, behaviors, attitudes, and confidence they need to lead healthy, active lives and become healthy, active adults. However, due to tight budgets, and requirements under federal policies, many school districts are dramatically cutting physical education programs.

Investing in Higher Education

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed into law, making historic investments in higher education. This bill increased the higher education tax credit to a maximum of $2,500 and makes this program available to nearly 4 million low-income students who were not previously eligible by making credit partially refundable. In addition, this bill increased the maximum Pell Grant by $500, for a maximum of $5,350 in 2009 and $5,550 in 2010. Finally, $200 million is provided for the College Work-Study program.

On March 23rd, 2010, President Obama signed into law a historic higher education bill that will expand educational opportunities for America’s students and families nationwide. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act strengthens the Pell Grant program, invests in community colleges, extends support for historically black colleges and other minority serving institutions, and helps student borrowers manage their student loan debt. The new law pays for these investments and contributes to reducing the federal deficit by ending government subsidies currently given to banks and other financial institutions that make guaranteed federal student loans. According to the Congressional Budget Office, ending these wasteful subsidies will free up nearly $68 billion for college affordability and deficit reduction over the next 11 years. These investments complement President Obama’s broader agenda for higher education, including expanding the American Opportunity Tax Credit and taking steps to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)..

I have introduced bipartisan legislation to increase graduation rates for low-income students, by authorizing a Grants for College Access and Completion program to support innovative and effective approaches that are improving college-going and college-graduation rates for low-income students. H.R. 3259 would provide grants to eligible organizations with a proven track record of success in increasing the number of students from low-income and disadvantaged populations who enter and remain in college.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act

It remains a top priority in Congress to reauthorize Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) with added flexibility. A commitment to our elementary and secondary schools is reflected in the President’s FY 2011 budget which requests a $300 billion increase in funding for K-12 education programs authorized in the ESEA.