Congressman Luke Messer

Representing the 6th District of Indiana

Education

In our modern society, a good education is one of the keys to a great life. Although a high school diploma used to guarantee a comfortable living, nowadays many college graduates have difficulty finding stable, good-paying jobs and often have a mountain of student loan debt they can’t repay.

While the Federal government has a limited role in elementary and secondary education, it should ensure that all children—regardless of their parents’ income or zip code—have the same opportunity to get the best possible education. That’s why I am a strong proponent of school choice.

In 2014, I formed the Congressional School Choice Caucus, which is dedicated to expanding educational freedom and promoting policies that increase high-quality education options for all children. I also introduced legislation that allows states to use federal education funding to expand education choices.

The Federal government has more responsibility over higher education. Congress needs to encourage colleges to control costs and help ensure more students are graduating sooner with less debt. Eliminating burdensome and unnecessary regulations that add to those costs is a good start. Students and their parents also must have the information they need to make cost-conscious decisions, which is why I introduced legislation the House has passed to make that information more accessible. Federal education policies need to ensure equal access to educational opportunities so our children and grandchildren can have the best chance possible at living the American Dream.

More on Education

Oct 12, 2016

WASHINGTON (Oct. 12, 2016) — Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) is urging the U.S. Department of Education to restore Pell Grant eligibility to approximately 16,000 students nationwide who were using the grants to attend ITT Technical Institute when it abruptly closed last month.

Federal Pell Grants are provided to low-income students pursuing postsecondary education, and lifetime eligibility for the need-based grants is limited.

Sep 9, 2016

WASHINGTON (Sept. 9, 2016) — Congressman Luke Messer (IN-06) is working to ensure students and American taxpayers aren’t completely on the hook for an estimated $500 million in unpaid federal loans taken out by students of the now defunct ITT Technical Institute.

Sep 6, 2016

For centuries, scholars have said "knowledge is power." In the computer age, we say "information is king." Both phrases highlight the importance of knowing the facts before making big decisions. 

The same principals unequivocally apply to student borrowing. As education costs continue to rise, students must know precisely the cost of education when deciding whether and where to go to college.

May 24, 2016

BATESVILLE, Ind. (May 24, 2016)—Congressman Luke Messer (IN-06) honored dozens of students from east-central and southeastern Indiana Thursday evening for their academic achievement during the 2015-2016 school year.  The top male and female 8th grade students from middle schools across Indiana’s 6th Congressional District were presented the 8th Grade Scholar award by Congressman Messer.  The ceremony, sponsored by Hillenbrand and Ivy Tech Community College, took place at Batesville High School on Thursday, May 19, 2016.   

May 19, 2016

WASHINGTON — Rep. Luke Messer introduced legislation Wednesday to block the Obama’s administration’s new guidelines that call on schools to allow transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to the gender they identify with.

The Shelbyville Republican’s bill would prevent schools from losing federal funding if they don’t follow the guidelines.

Messer said such decisions “should be made at the state and local level by people who will put the interest of our kids ahead of political ideology.”

May 18, 2016

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Luke Messer (IN-06) filed a bill that would protect students in public schools from the Obama Administration’s threat to deny federal funding to institutions that do not allow students to use their bathroom of choice regardless of their gender.

On May 13th, the Justice Department issued guidance to schools across the country regarding transgender students.  It states schools must allow transgender students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their gender identity, not their biological sex or face losing Federal funding under Title IX.

May 18, 2016

WASHINGTON—Congressman Luke Messer (IN-06) went before the House Ways and Means Committee this week to advocate for teachers, faculty, and staff whose paychecks have been cut due to the Obamacare employer mandate.

The employer mandate requires employers with 50 or more full-time employees to either offer minimum essential coverage healthcare coverage or pay a penalty.  Unfortunately, this portion of the President’s health care law is costing cash-strapped school districts millions of dollars.

May 10, 2016

Education savings accounts: The new frontier in school choice

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 | 9:30 am - 2:00 pm


AEI, Twelfth Floor
1150 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036


Apr 27, 2016

MUNCIE (April 27, 2015)—Ball State University hosted the 3rd Annual Congressional Leadership Academy on Saturday, April 23, 2016.  The event, created in cooperation with Congressman Luke Messer (IN-06), is focused on getting Indiana’s future leaders excited about careers in the sciences and emerging technology.

Feb 24, 2016

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Luke Messer continued to fight for equitable Title I funding for Indiana’s public charter schools.  In a House Education and the Workforce hearing, Congressman Messer pressed Acting Department of Education (DOE) Secretary John King on why it is taking so long for charter schools in Indiana to get their fair share of funding after the DOE found Indiana used an incorrect formula to determine Title I disbursement.