The main responsibility of our education system is to prepare our children to enter the workforce. Whether it be K-12, post-secondary, or workforce training, we must ensure students are set up for success and can meet the demands of their future careers. In Congress, I’m committed to reducing federal influence in our schools, ridding the system of political agendas, and lowering the cost of education for everyone.

Some of the bills I’ve introduced or cosponsored this Congress to strengthen our education system and expand educational opportunities for students include:

• Introducing the VETT Act, which passed the House, to cut through VA’s bureaucratic red tape and allow veterans to more easily access their education benefits
• Cosponsoring the College Cost Reduction Act, which will lower the cost of postsecondary education for students and families
• Cosponsoring the Educational Choice for Children Act, which allows individuals and corporations a new tax credit for charitable contributions to tax-exempt organizations that provide scholarships to elementary and secondary school students
• Cosponsoring the Parents Bill of Rights Act, which passed the House, to establish various rights of parents and guardians regarding the public elementary or secondary school education of their children

I am also a member of the House Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus. While a four-year college education may be the right fit for some students, other students may choose a different path. Our nation’s workforce is in dire need for skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen, and I’m working to make sure students have access to a variety of post-high school educational opportunities so they can secure in-demand, good-paying jobs. I’m a proud cosponsor of the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act to allow 529 account funds to be eligible for expenses associated with postsecondary credentialing, as well as the American Workforce Act, which will establish a workforce development program as an alternative to a four-year college.

To watch my floor speech in support of Career and Technical Education Month, see the video below.

Our education system works best when parents are empowered, local input is prioritized, and programs are focused on creating well-rounded students. I’m proud of the work House Republicans have completed thus far, and I am continuing my work in D.C. to identify more opportunities for our students to succeed.