Education

I strongly believe that we must give every possible amount of support to our students, teachers and educators so that future generations of Americans will have the ability to succeed in a global economy and face the challenges of tomorrow.

Every student and educator deserves our full and unwavering support in their educational and professional pursuits. We must invest in our schools and the education of our students so they are equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of working in a globalized world.   

I have always sought to improve school performance not only in my District but also across America.  We must enact clear and coherent educational reforms so that standards of learning reinforce and complement the skills students need to succeed in today's competitive economy. 

My passion for improving the quality of learning and access to education is also why I continue to fight alongside my Democratic colleagues to pass the federal DREAM Act.   This bill would provide 360,000 undocumented high school graduates with a legal means to work and attend college in the United States. Further, the legislation would provide incentives for another 715,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 to finish high school and pursue higher education.

One of my proudest achievements is the founding of the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program at the State Department. Since I created the program in 2002, more than 175 young Americans have benefited. The Rangel Fellowship has two main components: a summer enrichment program for undergraduate students to study international affairs coursework at Howard University and a graduate program that awards students fellowship valued at up to $90,000 for two years of graduate study, internships, and professional development activities, followed by employment in the State Department Foreign Service

I also proudly support the American College and Tax Relief Act, an amendment to continue the College Tuition Tax Deduction. This bill would extend the college tuition tax deduction and help make college education more affordable for America's families. I will continue to work with President Barack Obama and my colleagues in Congress to enact policies that will provide every child access to high quality education and ease the financial burden of going to college. 

Congressman Rangel's Accomplishments:

Public School Construction

Enacted the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program, which allows districts across the country to rehabilitate schools with financing where the interest is paid by the federal treasury through tax credits to the bondholders. So far under the program, New York City has issued a $30 million bond offering to finance the wiring of schools for computers.

State Department Minority Recruitment

Secured $1 million in federal funding to establish a program, based at Howard University, to prepare minorities to compete for careers in the Foreign Service. After years and efforts made by Congressman Rangel to change the culture of the U.S. diplomatic corps, the program provides  young Americans with international affairs coursework, internships, professional development activities, funding for graduate school, and employment with the U.S. Foreign Service.

Tuition Reimbursement for Employees

Played a decisive role in the Ways & Means Committee to extend the right to deduct up to $5,250 from taxes for employees who receive tuition reimbursement from their employers. Over 7 million workers, especially low-income employees, have benefited from the legislation.

Congressman Rangel's Legislation:

Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act, H.R. 1617 (Co-Sponsor)
Referred to Sub Committee on Workforce Protection
This bill requires the Secretary of Education to make grants to states for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools, to make them safe, healthy, high-performing, and technologically up-to-date

Student Loan Interest Deduction Act, H.R. 509 (Sponsor) (Introduced 1/22/2015)
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to:

(1) Increase the maximum tax deduction for interest paid on any qualified education loan to $5,000 ($10,000 for married couples filing a joint tax return), and

(2) Repeal the limitation on such deduction based upon modified adjusted gross income.

Rebuilding America's Schools Act, H.R. 3046 (Sponsor) (Introduced 7/13/2015)
 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to:

(1) Extend through 2015 the qualified school construction bond program and the national limitation amounts for bonds issued under the qualified zone academy bond (QZAB) program,

(2) Allow the issuer of a QZAB to receive a direct payment in lieu of the tax credit for interest payments with respect to such bonds,

(3) Permit private entities to waive the 10% matching requirement for QZABs, and (4) permit QZAB proceeds to be used for constructing a public school facility in which such an academy is established.  Act, H.R. 1751 (Co-Sponsor)

The American Dream Act, H.R. 1751 (Co-Sponsor)
Status: 5/14/2009 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
This bill would amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit States to determine State residency for higher education purposes and to authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children, and for other purposes.

Post-Military Training, H.R. 2046 (Sponsor)
Status: 6/24/2011 - Referred to Sub Committee on Military Personnel
This bill would amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty receive comprehensive employment assistance, job training assistance, and other transitional services.

Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act. H.R. 2914 (Co-Sponsor)
Status:  9/20/2011 Referred to Sub Committee on Housing
This bill requires the Secretary of Education to make grants to states for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools, to make them safe, healthy, high-performing, and technologically up-to-date.

The American College Tax Relief Act, H.R. 3826 (Co-Sponsor)
Status: 1/25/2012 Referred to House Committee on Education and the Workforce
This bill will extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans.  Also the tax deduction for tuition and fees will give a maximum deduction of $4,000 for individuals with income up to $65,000 ($130,000 jointly) and $2,000 for individuals with income over $65,000 and up to $80,000 ($160,000 jointly).

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