As the brother of two Worcester Public School teachers, I have seen firsthand how a quality education is essential to preparing our students for the 21st Century economy. I believe that investing in our public schools is the best way to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. I've been a strong supporter of early childhood development services, including Reach Out and Read, Head Start, and Child Care Development Block Grants, and continues to urge House leadership to provide robust funding for these programs. I've also led the fight to strengthen school lunch programs, understanding that school meals are as essential for our children’s ability to learn as any textbook. I've been committed to providing funds for school construction and modernization, and working to improve classrooms by adding high-speed internet access and other cutting-edge technology. My team and I have also helped to secure millions of dollars in grant money for schools across Massachusetts’ Second District. All Americans have access to affordable higher education. I've worked to end the wasteful subsidies to banks in the student loan program and to increase funding for the Pell Grant program so that middle class families can afford to send their kids to college. I've also voted for plans like Income-Based Repayment, which offer student loan borrowers manageable payments plans, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which allows borrowers who enter into public service the chance to have their loans forgiven after 120 payments. |