Education Archives - Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

Providing a World-Class Education for All of our Children

As the proud mother of three sons who graduated from public schools, I understand how important it is to make sure that all of our children have the opportunity to get a high-quality education. It’s my promise to every parent in our community that I’ll always fight to make sure our schools are well-equipped, our students are well-prepared and our teachers have the resources they need to help our children succeed.

This is why, as a member of the House Appropriations Education Subcommittee, I’m a strong supporter of Head Start, expanding early childhood education programs and efforts to incentivize more individuals to choose a career in teaching. Across the United States, we are facing a shortage of qualified teachers. That’s why I introduced the RETAIN Act, which would provide a tax credit that increases annually as teachers continue to serve in low-income schools. Additionally, that’s why I introduced the STRONG Act which attracts more individuals to enter teacher residency programs.

And with college debt surpassing credit card debt for the first time in our nation’s history, I’m also committed to making higher education more affordable and more accessible to hardworking young people. I’m a strong supporter of strengthening federal Pell grants, expanding career and technical education (CTE) programs and reforming the student loan system to reduce the debt burden on graduating students. I am committed to fighting for funding for these programs as a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee.

Our children deserve our full support and we need to do everything possible to prepare them to compete and succeed in a 21st-century economy.

More on Education

Press Release

February 28, 2020

Bustos Youth Vaping Bill Passes as Part of House Package

WASHINGTON – Today, the House passed Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ (D-IL) Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act as part of a major anti-tobacco package. “Across the country, vaping among students has soared and the horror stories are getting worse: teens hospitalized after vaping, third graders caught using e-cigarettes – and that’s just in my district,” said […]

Press Release

February 27, 2020

VIDEO: Bustos Fights for Students; Questions DeVos on Youth Vaping Scourge, Teacher Shortages

BUSTOS: “This is a public health epidemic that is impacting our students, our children.” WASHINGTON – Today, in a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) pushed Secretary Betsy DeVos to ensure that the Department of Education is taking action on the teen vaping scourge and teacher shortages facing communities across the nation. […]

Press Release

February 24, 2020

ROUNDUP: BUSTOS VISITS EVERY COUNTY IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN ONE WEEK

Bustos Events Focus on Health Care, Veterans, Education, Local Economy Washington – Last week, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) visited all 14 counties across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, traveled over 900 miles, held 18 events and meetings, and announced more than $25 million in federal funds for the region. “I always say we’re given two ears […]

Press Release

February 11, 2020

Bustos Response to President’s Budget

Administration Fails to Live Up to Promises to Protect Medicaid or Invest in Infrastructure $25 Billion Slashed from Federal Crop Insurance Program that Protects Farmers From Severe Weather and Price Drops Rural America sees Funding for Broadband, Health Clinics, Economic Development Gutted WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, […]