A Strong Economy Requires Quality Education for Every Child

As your constituent, I urge you to make America’s children, families, and schools a top priority in the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process. A strong economy is not built from the top down. It is built when every child—regardless of zip code, family income, disability, or language background—has access to a quality education and the opportunity to succeed. The future strength of our workforce, our communities, and our nation’s competitiveness depends on the investments we make in students today. When schools are underfunded, the consequences are felt for generations. Students fall behind, families struggle, businesses face workforce shortages, and our economy suffers. If Congress is serious about building long-term prosperity, it must ensure that every child has access to the resources and support they need to learn, grow, and thrive. As you develop the FY27 appropriations package, I urge you to provide these critical investments without cutting other education programs: • Robust funding for Title I under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); • Full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including at least $16.661 billion for IDEA Part B Grants to States; • $1.6 billion for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program under Title IV-A of ESSA; • $25 million for Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs); • Increased funding for Title II-A to ensure students have access to well-prepared and effective teachers and school leaders. I also urge your support for: • $250 million for school-based mental health services; • $86 million for the STOP School Violence program; • Funding for firearm injury prevention research: $35 million for CDC, $25 million for NIH, and $1 million for NIJ; • $1 billion for the English Language Acquisition Program under Title III of ESSA; • $310 million for tobacco prevention and cessation efforts at CDC; and • Restoring SNAP funding by cosponsoring and passing the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act. No child can learn when they are hungry, unsupported, unsafe, or denied the educational resources they deserve. America’s economic future depends on educating all of its people—not just the fortunate few. I urge you to fight for these investments and reject efforts to weaken the programs that help children, families, and schools succeed. The cost of failing our students today will be paid by our entire nation tomorrow. Thank you for your attention and your service.