Kurt Schrader on Education

Official Website Statements

Education

Education is a major issue for me, and the quality of our education will no doubt suffer without significant investment in our K-12 education workforce. The recession has had a negative impact on Oregonians across my Congressional District. Many have lost their homes, jobs, and money set aside for retirement. At a time when state budgets are tight, it is important to make sure the quality of our children’s education is sustained. A consistent investment in our education workforce is critical to the success of our public school system and to the future of economic competitiveness.

I recently voted in support of an amendment to a supplemental spending bill that continues our commitment to education and the future. The amendment provides $10 billion for the Education Jobs Fund through which funds will be distributed to each state through existing formulas. The education jobs fund is expected to help retain more than 140,000 K-12 education jobs nationwide, 1600 education jobs in the State of Oregon and approximately 315 jobs in the 5th Congressional District of Oregon. The money made available through this fund cannot be used for anything other than preserving jobs for K-12 education.

This amendment also contains funding for higher education as it appropriates an additional $4.95 billion to the need based Pell Grant Program. This funding will allow more than 8 million students to receive Pell Grants this year which continues our commitment to education at all levels. These funds are also fully offset and will not contribute to the deficit. As noted above, these provisions were contained in an amendment to a supplemental spending bill that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives; this measure awaits action in the Senate.

A consistent investment in our nation’s education system is necessary to make sure we keep our economy globally competitive, and to ensure the well being of this country for generations to come.

 

Voting Record

America COMPETES Reauthorization Act

In May of 2010 the House voted on reauthorizing the America COMPETES Act. The act passed the House 262-150. Kurt Schrader voted in favor of reauthorizing the America COMPETES Act.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Session-111; Bill Number-H R 5116; America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Cosponsor

America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Reauthorization Act of 2010

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