Education
As the father of two young daughters, the quality of our nation’s education system is a high priority for me. Through quality education, we can prepare our most precious resource – our children – for a life of prosperity. And, as the proud home of multiple universities, including the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University, higher education is a signature industry of our region. It is important to ensure that our students are academically prepared for and can afford higher education, that our universities are well funded, and that our public school teachers have the resources they need to enrich our students. I will continue working to promote greater educational opportunity at all levels, while creating an economy that can provide the ultimate incentive for all of those years of hard work – a fulfilling career.
During the 113th Congress, I have supported important education initiatives:
- I cosponsored H.R. 1032, the Making College Affordable Act. This legislation would help families save for college by increasing the tax exempt contributions that can be made to a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA).
- I supported H.R. 5, the Student Success Act, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for Fiscal Years 2014-2019. This legislation eliminates and consolidates more than 70 redundant or poorly functioning federal programs, saving taxpayer money. By prohibiting the Department of Education from imposing certain conditions and state standards and assessments on state and local school systems and streamlining how federal money goes to our public schools, this legislation empowers local teachers, administrators, and parents. H.R. 5 passed the House of Representatives with my support on July 19, 2013.
- I supported H.R. 1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, which passed the House with my support and became law on August 9, 2013. This legislation moves all new student loans to market-based interest rates, preventing the politically manufactured doubling of federal student loans due to the previous rates’ expiration. The Smarter Solutions for Students Act is a permanent solution that makes college more certain and affordable for those using federal student loans.
More on Education
On September 17, 2014, the National Federation of Independent Business, an advocacy association which gives small-business owners on Main Street a voice in public policy-making, announced that they have named Congressman Barr a "Guardian of Small Business" for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small-business owners in the 113th Congress.
Congressman Andy Barr made the following statement upon being recognized:
The Office of Congressman Andy Barr is seeking high school juniors and seniors to apply for the Sixth Congressional District’s new Youth Ambassador Program. The Youth Ambassador Program is a non-partisan, educational experience designed for high school students that provides a unique opportunity to learn about leadership from leaders across Kentucky while serving as an ambassador for their school.
LEXINGTON – Congressman Andy Barr announced today that his office will host a Military Academy Day for Sixth District students interested in applying to one of the nation’s service academies. The event will be held on Saturday, September 13th at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with registration beginning at 9:30 AM.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Barr (KY-6) announced today that seven young men and women in the Sixth Congressional District that have received appointment offers to four of the United States Service Academies.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Andy Barr today announced that Bryan Station High School student Salvador Hernandez is the winner of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, for Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District. The winning photography piece, “Colors in Ice,” will be displayed in the halls of the United States Capitol along with winning art from other congressional districts across the country for the next year. Pictures from the
On Wednesday, March 26, Congressman Andy Barr spoke on the House Floor about the University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team upcoming game in the NCAA Tournament against the University of Louisville Cardinals.
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Madam Speaker, when it comes to college basketball, there’s simply no place like my old Kentucky home.
I rise with the distinct honor of congratulating my hometown University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team on moving on to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2014 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament.
LEXINGTON - Congressman Andy Barr today announced an invitation to participate in the Congressional Art Competition to all high school students in the Sixth District. The contest, “An Artistic Discovery,” began in 1982 as a way to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of our country’s youth.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Andy Barr released the following statement following President Obama’s State of the Union Address:
“Tonight, I had hoped to hear about how the President will reduce our exploding federal debt, protect the American people from the harmful effects of the new healthcare law, and grow the economy to create jobs for hardworking families who are suffering in this stagnant economy.
“Unfortunately, the President offered the same failed approach of more government spending, more job-crushing regulations, and higher taxes.
WASHINGTON –Congressman Andy Barr today released the following statement following House passage of the FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill:
“The people of central and eastern Kentucky sent me to Washington to rein in out-of-control federal spending, save our country from bankruptcy, and promote the long-term growth of our economy and our workforce.