Education
Investing in education will ensure that future generations have the resources they need to allow our nation to succeed. To do this, we must work to recruit qualified teachers, reduce class sizes, and make college more affordable. My experience as a teacher in New Jersey encourages me to fight for the highest quality education for our students at every level.
As a former teacher, I know that a teacher’s impact is felt not only in the classroom, but also on the practice fields and in the community. As a student, I had the support of my teachers inside and outside the classroom. As a result, I felt compelled to become a teacher in order to give students the same opportunities that my teachers had given me. New Jersey has some of the most talented teachers in the country. While we ask teachers to prepare our children to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, we must also give them the tools and resources to rise to these challenges.
I understand first-hand that investing in early childhood education is fundamental to the foundations of our children’s learning and development. Investing in our children early will provide the best advantage for younger generations. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is the main source of federal aid to K-12 education. Initially enacted in 1965, this law was amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) to achieve accountability of school systems for improving student achievement outcomes. However, some requirements have become burdensome and punitive. As Congress looks for ways to reform the ESEA, I will continue to work to ensure the needs of our nation’s children are put first.
It is critical that our students are able to compete globally. That is why I believe we must invest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs across the country. Graduates with STEM degrees are in high demand and are indispensable to our economic wellbeing. These programs will help build a highly-competitive workforce both in New Jersey and across the country. That is why I will continue to support programming that focuses on STEM education for students at every level.
While in Congress, I have supported efforts to improve access to a college education. A college degree has become as important as a high school degree was a generation ago. Therefore, making college more affordable must be a top priority. The largest source of federal grant aid for postsecondary education students comes from Pell Grants. The maximum Pell Grant awards have been maintained at $5,550, and are essential to opening doors and giving students the financial means to attend college. During the Fiscal Year 2019 budget process, I sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education requesting $34.6 billion in funding for the Federal Pell Grant Program.
More on Education
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Sires released the following statement on President Biden’s announcement regarding student debt forgiveness:
This week, I joined my colleagues in the House in passing several important pieces of legislation, including the Respect for Marriage Act, the Right to Contraception Act, and a minibus of six appropriations bill which includes several of the projects I requested to improve infrastructure in New Jersey’s 8th District. As the world continues to watch Putin’s invasion of Ukraine unfold, I held a Western Hemisphere Subcommittee hearing to draw attention to Russia’s efforts to gain influence in the region.
Last week, the House of Representatives took several important votes to improve gun safety and address rampant gun violence, as well as to reauthorize Food and Drug Administration programs, strengthen small business apprenticeship programs, and improve the nation’s water infrastructure and flood mitigation, among other bills. I also joined a resolution declaring gun violence a national public health crisis, as well as legislation to support the mental health of students and offer skill building opportunities to teachers.
Last week, I joined a letter to President Biden to ban the use of cluster munitions. I also joined legislation to honor black maternal health week and to increase students’ environmental literacy.
This week, I joined my colleagues in passing several important pieces of legislation which would cap the cost of lifesaving insulin, improve access to child care and long-term care services, address sexual harassment in transportation, make improvements to retirement plans, and decriminalize marijuana. In addition, I signed onto letters to urge the administration to include Taiwan in an international economic framework, relieve the burden of student loan debt, and include COVID-19 centers as a protected area from immigration enforcement.
This week, the House of Representatives passed important pieces of legislation to fund the government and invest in the American people in fiscal year 2022, support the Ukrainian people as they defend their country from Russia’s unjust invasion, and ban imports of Russian oil. In addition, I introduced legislation with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to restart the Cuba Family Reunification Program.
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) voted in favor of H.R. 2471, an omnibus spending bill that includes funding for the remainder of fiscal year 2022 as well as funding for Community Projects in New Jersey’s 8th District.
This week, I joined legislation to improve children’s access to nutritious meals, acknowledge the achievements of public schools, and celebrate Black History Month. I also signed onto letters to support additional funding for food assistance, facilitate funding for Intercity Passenger Rail grants, and urge appropriators to finalize transportation and infrastructure appropriation bills.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the America COMPETES Act to bolster our manufacturing and scientific capabilities, and global competitiveness. In addition, I participated in a hearing about U.S. priorities in the Western Hemisphere where I called for an end to impunity for dictators in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This week, I signed on letters to urge President Biden to cancel student loan debt and led one recommending Secretary Blinken work to improve U.S.-Honduran relations. I also cosponsored legislation to improve booster seat safety and discourage profiling of motorcyclists.