EdAction in Congress May 23, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress May 23, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress May 23, 2021

Victory! And your advocacy helped make it happen

President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law on May 20. Introduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), it will strengthen federal efforts to address hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans in several ways: designate a Department of Justice employee to expedite the review of COVID-19 hate crimes, provide guidance for state and local officials for online reporting of such crimes, and require the department to issue guidance to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the pandemic.

---

Urge senators to support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 1065) passed the House by a vote of 315-101, with 99 Republicans joining every Democrat present voting “aye.” Key provisions include creating a uniform national standard for reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions; prohibit employers from denying pregnant workers employment opportunities; require the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to make rules implementing the law; and address the issue through a framework modeled after the Americans with Disabilities Act.

More than three-quarters of women—half the American workforce and nearly 80 percent of educators—will be pregnant and employed at some point in their lives. Women are important breadwinners in their families, yet all too often, pregnant women are pushed out of their jobs or forced to risk their health to continue earning a paycheck when they are pregnant. TAKE ACTION

---

Anniversary of George Floyd’s death fuels new push for congressional action

Tuesday, May 25 is the anniversary of George Floyd’s death. He struggled for his life for 9 minutes and 29 seconds as a police officer thrust a knee against his neck, maintaining the pressure even as he repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe” and bled on the ground. Americans saw what happened with their own eyes—bystanders recorded it on their cell phones—and responded with an outpouring of anger and grief that has fueled a renewed push for racial justice and an end to the police brutality that disproportionately kills African Americans. One in every 1,000 Black men can expect to be killed by police, according to a 2019 study published in a National Academy of Sciences journal.

The House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 1280) by a vote of 220-212 in March, but the Senate has yet to act. The bill takes initial steps to end police brutality, protect civil rights and liberties, and change the culture of law enforcement agencies. They include ending racial and religious profiling and no-knock warrants, mandatory de-escalation training for police, prohibiting chokeholds and other potentially fatal maneuvers, and requiring police to use dashboard and body cameras—many of the same steps called for by the Justice for Black Lives document issued by NEA’s executive committee. TAKE ACTION

---

We need to invest in fixing school buildings now, say educators to Congress

Every student and educator deserves a safe learning and work environment, and educators around the country are speaking out about the conditions they face and how it affects their students. Read more

 

 

---

Cheers and Jeers

Cheers

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) reintroduced the HEAL Act (S. 1660/H.R. 3149), which expand immigrants’ access to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and health insurance sold on Affordable Care Act online marketplaces.

Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the School Safety Drill Research Act (H.R. 3432) to determine the unintentional impact of such drills and help schools move forward with trauma-informed alternatives.

EdAction in Congress May 23, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress May 9, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress May 9, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress May 9, 2021

President Biden and Vice President Harris have advocated for students and educators since day one.

We all want our students—Black and white, Native and newcomer, Hispanic and Asian alike—to attend safe and just public schools and higher education campuses that help them pursue their dreams and fulfill their true potential. Due to the activism of educators around the country, in the first 100 days of the Biden administration, we have seen historic investments in students and public schools along with action to make America stronger, safer, and healthier for all. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have improved the lives of our students and families. And the work is just beginning. Read more.

For the People Act gives power to the people

The For the People Act (S.1), our nation’s first comprehensive democracy reform bill in decades, is expected to receive its first vote by a Senate committee this week. The House in March passed the companion bill (H.R. 1). Both take several steps to protect and expand voting rights, strengthen oversight of voting, and ensure ethical government.

More than 360 bills have been introduced in 47 states that would making voting more difficult. They include measures that would shorten the time for absentee and/or early voting, require voters show an ID at the polls, and purge voter rolls. Georgia’s legislature, for instance, passed a law making it a crime to give water or food to voters, who must often wait in long lines, within 150 feet of a polling place or within 25 feet of any voter in line.

The For the People Act would automatically register voters across America and restore voting rights to those who have completed felony sentences, among other steps. It would modernize our voting system, expose dark money in politics, and require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns. Take Action.

---

NEA members speak out on loan forgiveness and COVID 19’s impact on students with disabilities

NEA members met with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and testified before a House subcommittee about COVID-19’s impact on students with disabilities last week.

On May 7, Sean Manes, a New Jersey elementary music teacher, and James Stewart, a Maryland high school science teacher, participated in a roundtable with Cardona to share their experiences with the PSLF program.

Manes became eligible for PSLF in 2019, but didn’t receive it until 2020. His loan servicer was missing nearly four years of qualifying payments. NEA’s Office of General Counsel assisted Manes in successfully arguing that he had actually exceeded the requirement for loan payments. He received loan forgiveness and was refunded the extra payments.

Stewart already had a master’s degree in science and a teaching certificate, but wanted to continue his education to be the best teacher possible, and to set an example for his students. He borrowed $90,000 to finance a doctoral degree and today, his debt is in the six figures. Although he doesn’t regret his career or educational choices, he wishes he’d had a better understanding of the loans before he took them on.

Danielle M. Kovach, a third-grade self-contained learning and language disabilities from New Jersey, testified (virtually) on May 6 before the House Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee. Kovach described the challenges of the abrupt switch to virtual learning and her concerns about the long-term implications of the pandemic on her student. She thanked Congress for the COVID-relief packages that have helped schools and students weather the pandemic and asked that Congress fulfill its commitment to fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at 40 percent of the excess cost. Take Action.

---

Cheers

Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act, which would provide federal funding for projects that educate students about healthy food practices.

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) introduced, respectively, Senate Resolution 198 and House Resolution 362 honoring Teacher Appreciation Week 2021.

Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Marc Pocan (D-WI) led a letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling for a reduction of funding for the federal Charter Schools Program and increased oversight and accountability for the program.

Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D-MD) led a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging him to use administrative flexibilities granted during national emergencies to fix the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

EdAction in Congress May 9, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress April 4, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress April 4, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress April 4, 2021

‘Build back better’ includes public schools and campuses

President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, unveiled March 31, includes modernizing public schools and investing in the community college infrastructure. Current conditions can be hazardous to the health of students and educators alike: Half our schools are more than 50 years old, and were built when windowless classrooms, asbestos, and lead pipes were commonplace. “By investing in public schools—the beating heart of every community—President Biden’s bold plan will power America’s economic recovery and pay dividends down the road. Congress must come together to build this better path forward that creates good jobs, invests in communities and makes America more competitive,” said NEA President Becky Pringle.

 

---

Cancel the student loan debt of teachers with 10 years of public service

NEA is urging Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to cancel the student loan debt of qualified public sector workers on the frontlines of our response to COVID-19—teachers, nurses, and other essential workers serving communities all across America.

Created in 2007, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) was designed to encourage college graduates to pursue careers in education, health care, firefighting, and other forms of public service. The program promised to wipe away federal student debt after 120 qualifying monthly payments—10 years’ worth of payments.

Instead, under the failed leadership of Betsy DeVos, the Department of Education rejected 98 percent of the PSLF applications filed since 2017, when the first public sector workers became eligible for relief. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg—for every qualified borrower whose application has been rejected, tens of thousands more have been knocked off course or never sought relief.

A letter to Cardona signed by more than a dozen leading public sector unions, including NEA, urges immediate relief for qualified borrowers who already have a decade of public service. TAKE ACTION 

---

Fully fund programs for low-income students and students with disabilities

The Keep Our Pact Act (S. 72/H.R. 764) would create a mandatory 10-year path to fully funding both Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—critical programs for the students most in need. Title I programs for low-income students and schools were shortchanged by nearly $30 billion in the 2019-20 school year. Congress promised to pay 40 percent of the excess costs of special education services when IDEA was first passed, but has never come close—the federal share is now less than 14 percent.

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the unfortunate consequences of these funding gaps, draining resources from cash-strapped schools and reducing access to support programs. Students from low-income households ill-equipped for remote learning have been hit especially hard, as have students with disabilities who need extra support. Now is the time to fulfill America’s promise of equal opportunity for all our students. TAKE ACTION

 

---

Cheers and Jeers

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Reps. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act (S. 435/H.R. 2099) to help fund public education and community services in 770 rural counties located near national forests.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the For the 99.5% Act, which would make the estate tax more progressive and raise $430 billion in revenue.

Rep. Richie Neal (D-MA), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee for reintroducing the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2021, to fix the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) for future retirees and provide meaningful relief to current WEP retirees.

EdAction in Congress April 4, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress March 7, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress March 7, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress March 7, 2021

American Rescue Plan Act heads back to the House

The American Rescue Plan Act passed by the Senate is heading to the House for a final vote with NEA’s top priorities intact. The bill provides $170 billion in dedicated education funding to advance the process of safely returning to in-person instruction at K-12 school buildings. At the higher education level, the funding can be used to provide institutional and student support to address the health, safety, and financial challenges created by COVID-19. An additional $350 billion in state and local aid will help avoid further layoffs of educators and other essential public servants. The bill also provides $7 billion in emergency funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate program to address the “homework gap” and students’ lost opportunities to learn.

Other provisions include funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test, track, and vaccinate people; larger Affordable Care Act premium subsidies; and extending supplemental unemployment benefits through early October.

Unfortunate changes made by the Senate include eliminating the proposed increase in the federal minimum wage—from $7.25 to $15 per hour by 2025—and shrinking $1,400 checks to zero more quickly for individuals making over $75,000 and married couples making over $150,000. The Senate bill also includes a $2.75 billion set-aside for private schools. Democrats aim to enact the American Rescue Plan Act before March 14, when unemployment benefits for more than 11 million workers begin to expire. TAKE ACTION

---

House takes initial steps to end police brutality

In a near party-line vote of 220-212, the House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 1280) to help end police brutality, protect civil rights and liberties, and change the culture of law enforcement agencies. These measures \ are part of Justice for Black Lives, the call to action issued by NEA’s executive committee in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and national protests against disproportionate police brutality in Black and brown communities. They include ending racial and religious profiling and no-knock warrants, mandatory de-escalation training for police, prohibiting chokeholds and other potentially fatal maneuvers like the one that killed George Floyd, and requiring police to use dashboard and body cameras. Tell your senators to support the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. TAKE ACTION

---

House passes the For the People Act

The For the People Act (H.R. 1), the most comprehensive democracy reform bill in decades, passed the House by a vote of 220-210 last week. The measure rests on three pillars: reaffirming and expanding voting rights, strengthening oversight to end big money in politics, and ensuring an ethical government. To achieve these goals, H.R. 1 would, among other things, institute automatic voter registration and voluntary public financing of campaigns, place new limits on partisan practices like gerrymandering and purging voter rolls, and require candidates for president and vice president to release their tax returns for the previous 10 years. H.R. 1 also makes a strong argument for the District of Columbia to become the 51st state. Tell your senators to support the For the People Act. TAKE ACTION

---

House prepares to vote on preventing gun violence

The House could vote as soon as this week on two common-sense gun reform bills: the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8), which would require a background check for every gun sold and most transfers, and the Enhanced Background Checks Act (H.R. 1446), which would extend the initial background check review period from 3 to 10 days.

Like most Americans, NEA members overwhelmingly support universal background checks. Firearms are the leading cause of death for African American children, and the second leading cause of death for all American children. Everytown for Gun Safety identified 549 incidents of gunfire on school grounds between 2013 and 2019. The U.S. government’s K-12 school shooting database shows a record number of incidents of gun violence in the last 3 years—the most since 1970, which is as far back as the data goes. Help keep our students safe by requiring a background check for every gun sold. TAKE ACTION

---

Cheers

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) reintroduced the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (S. 529/H.R. 8) to require a background check for every gun sold, as well as most transfers.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) reintroduced legislation to close the “Charleston loophole” that allows gun ownership to be transferred after 3 days even if the background check is incomplete. The House bill is the Enhanced Background Checks Act (H.R. 1446) and the Senate bill is the Background Check Completion Act.

Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rob Portman (R-OH), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) joined their Democratic colleagues in voting to confirm Dr. Miguel Cardona as U.S. Secretary of Education.

Michigan Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Debbie Dingell, Andy Levin, and Haley Stevens sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Education “to approve and issue waivers for any federal testing requirements for all states who request them for this school year.”

Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME) and Ron Kind (D-WI) voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

 

33 Republican senators voted against confirming Dr. Miguel Cardona as U.S. Secretary of Education.

EdAction in Congress March 7, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress February 28, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress February 28, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress February 28, 2021

COVID-19 package passes House; now it’s up to the Senate

By a vote of 219-212, the House passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan proposed by President Biden. The bill provides $170 billion in dedicated education funding to advance the process of safely returning to in-person instruction at K-12 school buildings and provide institutional and student support at the higher education level to address the health, safety, and financial challenges created by COVID-19; $350 billion in state and local aid to avoid further layoffs of educators and other essential public servants; and $7 billion in emergency funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate program to address the “homework gap” and lost opportunities to learn by equipping students and educators with internet access and devices for remote teaching and learning.

Other provisions of the bill include funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test, track, and vaccinate people; increased Affordable Care Act premium subsidies so people don’t have to pay more than 8.5 percent of their income for coverage; and increased support for Medicaid, community health centers, and tribal health programs. The bill also provides $1,400 payments to eligible individuals earning under $75,000 a year; and increases supplemental unemployment benefits from $300 to $400 per week, and extends them through August. While the bill also includes a provision that raises the federal minimum wage from $7.75 to $15 per hour by 2025, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the provision violates budget rules and cannot be included in the package. Senate democrats are exploring their options, but will likely need to find another vehicle.

As the action moves to the Senate, Democrats are pushing to enact the law before March 14, when unemployment benefits for more than 11 million workers begin to expire. TAKE ACTION

---

Community schools reimagine how to help students learn

A new bill in Congress looks to dramatically increase federal support for a school model that reimagines how to help students learn—by first making sure their basic needs are met. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) introduced the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act on Tuesday.

Research supports what educators know from experience: Students living in poverty do not have the same opportunities because they face barriers that their wealthier peers do not.

Children who are hungry, experience homelessness, or bear other stresses of their family’s financial hardship can’t always focus, participate in class, or complete assignments—and that’s if they can make it to school at all. Students of color are more likely to experience these conditions—the result of inequities built into a system that protects white supremacy.

Some districts are working to counteract these factors by establishing community schools, in which educators, administrators, students, and families work together to achieve their vision for the schools and communities. Read more. TAKE ACTION

---

Equality Act passes the House

By a vote of 224-206, the House passed the Equality Act; the bill was introduced in the Senate last week. The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and other federal laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, giving LGBTQ Americans explicit protection from discrimination in key areas of life: employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.

The current patchwork of laws—most states lack non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity—leaves many students and educators vulnerable to discrimination and sends the message LGBTQ Americans are second-class citizens. The Equality Act would help cultivate nurturing and supportive school environments for LGBTQ students while safeguarding LGBTQ educators, often key sources of support and encouragement for LGBTQ students. TAKE ACTION

---

House to vote this week on George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

Going to school or returning home from an after-school job or visiting friends or going to a cookout or concert—or a playground—should not put students’ lives at risk. But sadly, in communities of color, this is the reality. A 2019 study published in a National Academy of Sciences journal found that about 1 in every 1,000 Black men can expect to be killed by police.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 1280), which was reintroduced last week, takes initial steps to end police brutality, protect civil rights and liberties, and change the culture of law enforcement agencies. These steps include ending racial and religious profiling and no-knock warrants, mandatory de-escalation training for police, prohibiting chokeholds and other potentially fatal maneuvers like the one that killed George Floyd, and requiring police to use dashboard and body cameras. We also need to end the transfer of military weapons to state and local police agencies. Many of these provisions are included in the NEA executive committee-approved Justice for Black Lives. TAKE ACTION

---

Cheers and Jeers

Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Equality Act (S. 393) in the Senate; the bill has 48 cosponsors.

 

Three Republicans voted for the Equality Act: Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, John Katko of New York, and Tom Reed of New York.

 

The 16 Republican Sens. Richard Burr (NC), Shelley Moore Capitol (WV), Bill Cassidy (LA), Susan Collins (ME), John Cornyn (TX), Deb Fischer (NE), Chuck Grassley (IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Ron Johnson (WI), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rob Portman (OH), Mitt Romney (UT), Marco Rubio (FL), and Thom Tillis (NC) who voted with all democrats on cloture for Department of Education Secretary nominee Miguel Cardona. The final confirmation vote is expected Monday.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced the SOAR Permanent Authorization Act (S. 114), which would continue and increase funding for the District of Columbia voucher program.

EdAction in Congress February 28, 2021 - Education Votes

Educators cheer new push in Congress for more community schools - Education Votes

Educators cheer new push in Congress for more community schools - Education Votes

Educators cheer new push in Congress for more community schools

A new bill in Congress looks to increase federal support for a school model that reimagines how to help students learn—by first making sure their basic needs are met. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) introduced the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act on Tuesday.

Research supports what educators know from experience: Students living in poverty do not have the same opportunities because they face barriers that their wealthier peers do not.

Children who are hungry, experience homelessness, or bear other stresses of their family’s financial hardship can’t always focus, participate in class, or complete assignments—and that’s if they can make it to school at all. Students of color are more likely to experience these conditions—the result of inequities built into a system that protects white supremacy.

Some districts are working to counteract these factors by establishing community schools, in which educators, administrators, students, and families work together to achieve their vision for the schools and communities.

That collaboration results in schools that might provide medical, dental, and mental health care on-site; a food pantry or backpack nutrition program; clothing; after-school tutoring and mentoring, culturally relevant curriculum that reflects the diversity of the student body; and supported educators that have the resources and tools they need to educate their students. They might even serve entire families, with job placement assistance, English classes, referrals to social service agencies, and nutrition and health services.

“We have learned from decades of school improvement efforts that there isn’t one single powerful lever or magic bullet that will generate equitable outcomes in schools.,” said Kyle Serrette, a senior policy analyst in NEA’s Teacher Quality department. “Instead we’ve learned that education equity requires the identification of hundreds of specialized levers that, when CONTINUE READING: Educators cheer new push in Congress for more community schools - Education Votes