Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

I believe that every American child should be guaranteed access to a world-class education -- from pre-school through college. Increasing educational opportunities for children of all backgrounds is a key to creating opportunities and prosperity for working families.

The Federal Government needs to take decisive action to support children, families, schools and teachers in the development of high quality educational opportunities. We must also ensure that children with disabilities are given the same opportunities for success as their peers by requiring the federal government to fully fund special education.

I am greatly concerned about the skyrocketing cost of higher education, which is a proven pathway to grow the middle class. I believe that the Federal Government must do more to support higher education so that our communities can be as competitive as possible in today's global economy.

We've changed the way that the Federal Government gives student loans with the passage of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which cuts the interest rates on need-based student loans in half, increases Pell Grant scholarships, caps student loan repayments to 15% of the borrower's income, and provides loan forgiveness for public servants after 10 years of public service. This legislation is the biggest investment in higher education in America since the creation of the G.I. Bill in 1944 and I was proud to support its passage.

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