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NEA EdAction June 26 2022

June 26, 2022

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

Just as I was celebrating the likely passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—the most significant gun safety package in nearly 30 years—I learned that the Supreme Court had struck down a century-old New York gun safety law. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that individuals can bear arms, even in public places, for “self-defense.” 

For a moment, I felt like Sisyphus, the character in Greek mythology condemned for eternity to rolling a rock uphill only to have it come crashing down again. Then I rallied and vowed to fight harder than ever for what we know is right. Even if progress is painfully slow, it IS happening. 

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will enhance background checks for gun purchasers under age 21 and broaden access to mental-health services, especially school-based programs. It will also encourage states to implement red flag laws that temporarily keep individuals at elevated risk of harming themselves or others from gaining access to guns.

Last week, the House took up two bills—the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act and the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act—that begin to address the mental health crisis among students and educators struggling to be there for their students while coping with challenges of their own.

Congress also passed the bipartisan Keep Kids Fed Act, extending through the summer USDA’s authority to issue waivers that allow schools to offer all students free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to push for a longer extension to ensure no child goes hungry. 

In all of these efforts, your engagement has been critical. Keep it up! 

 
In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ARTICLE
Confirm Judicial Nominee Nancy Abudu
We need a judiciary that looks more like America, a judiciary that includes fair-minded people—with diverse personal and professional backgrounds—who are committed to justice for all.
Read More  ➤
Continue Flexibility for Free School Meals
Extend USDA’s child nutrition waiver authority through the 2022-23 school year to ensure that kids continue to have access to nutritious school meals. 
Take Action  ➤
Cancel Student Loan Debt
No matter who we are or how much we make, we should all have the opportunity to learn without limits.
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS
CHEER: Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) fought against including the Behavioral Intervention Guidelines (BIG) Act (H.R. 2877) in a package of mental health bills NEA otherwise supports.  
Jeer: Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) eliminated a provision of the Keep Kids Fed Act that would have allowed more children to receive free school meals for the entire 2022-23 school year. 
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Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction June 12 2022

June 12, 2022

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

The push for congressional action to help prevent gun violence continues. 

“I am frustrated, heartbroken, and angry that this is where we are, 23 years after Columbine,” NEA President Becky Pringle said in testimony before the House Oversight & Reform Committee last Thursday. The hearing included jarring, unforgettable remarks from Robb Elementary survivor Miah Cerrillo, the parents of 10-year-old victim Lexi Rubio, a Uvalde pediatrician, and the mother of a worker injured at the Buffalo shooting.

“Our country has already experienced nearly 240 mass shootings in 2022. But that number does not begin to capture the scope of this epidemic. Every day, gun violence kills 111 people. That means we can expect 22,255 more deaths by gun this year. Inaction equals acceptance of the unacceptable,” NEA’s president said. 

“A high school teacher in Arlington, Texas, survived a workplace shooting in a corporate setting, only to experience three school shootings and countless lockdowns. He is leaving with these words: ‘As much as I love teaching, if I can’t be fully present for my students, I am not going to be the educator they need.’

“Enough with so-called solutions that do not address the problem. We cannot place enough armed guards at every school building in America to protect us. We cannot ask educators to carry weapons and wear body armor while teaching and nurturing students. Because by the time someone has shown up with a military weapon, it is already too late. What we need for our students are more resources—not revolvers.” 

The solution? In the words of NEA’s president: “Pass common-sense legislation so that not one more community is shattered, and not one more anguished parent has to lay a precious child to rest. Our children deserve the chance to grow and thrive. To live … into their brilliance.” 

After the hearing, the House passed many of the common-sense measures NEA supports. Constructive negotiations on a narrower package continue in the Senate.
 
In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ARTICLE
Educators Rally Against Gun Violence
On Saturday, an estimated 40,000 people gathered in Washington, DC, and at 400 events nationwide to call for action on gun violence.
Read More  ➤
Take Action to End Gun Violence
Yes, it happened again. And everyone in America knows it will continue to happen if nothing changes. Congress, we are watching and want to know: What are you going to do?
Take Action  ➤
Confirm Judicial Nominee Nancy Abudu
We need a judiciary that looks more like America, a judiciary that includes fair-minded people—with diverse personal and professional backgrounds—who are committed to justice for all.
Take Action  ➤
Continue Flexibility for Free School Meals
Extend USDA’s child nutrition waiver authority through the 2022-23 school year to ensure that kids continue to have access to nutritious school meals 
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS
CHEER: Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) urged colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee to extend USDA waivers for school meals to support students and families facing food insecurity. 
CHEER: Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) for questioning Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about school facilities—and the need to modernize them—during a Senate hearing on U.S. Department of Education funding for next year. 
CHEER: House Oversight and Reform Committee Democrats, including Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (NY), pushed for common-sense gun safety measures and spoke out against false solutions—such as arming educators and turning schools into prisons—at a June 8 hearing on the epidemic of gun violence.
JEER: House Oversight and Reform Committee Republicans James Comer (KY), Jody Hice (GA), Glenn Grothman (WI), Virginia Foxx (NC), Clay Higgins (LA), Ralph Norman (SC), Andy Biggs (AZ), Byron Donalds (FL) and Andrew Clyde (GA) opposed common-sense safety measures at a June 8 hearing on the epidemic of gun violence. They provided status quo excuses, opposed common-sense and widely-supported gun safety reforms, and, in some cases, pushed for placing more guns on school property and turning schools and classrooms into virtual prisons.
 
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Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction June 6 2022

June 5, 2022

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

As the school year comes to a close across the country, I like so many others remain affected by the recent spate of mass shootings ripping at the soul of our society.  
 
When Congress returns this week, the pro-public education pro-common sense gun safety House of Representatives will vote on a package of bills aimed at making it more difficult for mass shootings to continue. They are stepping up and delivering, again, for our students, educators and communities. And NEA President Becky Pringle will be testifying on this issue Wednesday morning in the House Oversight & Reform Committee. Tune in! 
 
Over in the Senate, conversations and meetings occurred over the past week among a group of Democrats and Republicans led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and John Cornyn (R-TX) in an effort to find common ground.  
 
Please continue to make your voice heard and pressure the Senate to take action and protect our children and communities from more senseless killings. 
 
 
In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION
Take Action to Stop Gun Violence
Yes, it happened again. And everyone in America knows it will continue to happen if nothing changes. Congress, we are watching and want to know: What are you going to do?
Take Action  ➤
Fully Repeal Unfair Social Security Penalties
Support the Social Security Fairness Act and the Social Security 2100 Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that deprive educators of benefits they have earned.
Take Action  ➤
Still paying off student loans?
You may be eligible for public service loan forgiveness. Register for a briefing with NEA student debt experts on June 22 from 7-8 p.m. EST.
Take Action  ➤
 
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Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction May 29 2022

May 29, 2022

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

When will it ever be enough and when will it ever change? With Buffalo still on our minds, it happened again. It happened again in a school, like too many awful times before. 

Nineteen priceless babies from Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, taken from their families by someone who legally purchased weapons of war on his 18th birthday. Two teachers who sacrificed to build a better future for their students taken from their families. The survivors will remember and bear the psychological scars for the rest of their lives.  

The day after the Texas shooting—like parents, grandparents, and guardians all across America—my wife and I asked ourselves: Should we send our two precious babies to school? We did, but it was hard. We held them longer than usual, silently wondering what every parent is wondering: Can it happen at our school? Will my babies come home today? 

Once again, America faces a choice. Do we continue to send our children the message that their lives are not important to us as a nation? Doing nothing sends exactly that message. Fighting the same fights with the same results—zero—sends exactly that message. 

“What are you waiting for?” NEA President Becky Pringle asked in a letter to Congress. “Why do you spend all this time running for the United States Senate … if your answer is as the slaughter increases, as our kids run for their lives—we do nothing?” asked Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, where 26 people were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. 

Keep an eye on Murphy and some of his Senate colleagues in the days ahead as they attempt to do something—anything—to make these uniquely American tragedies less likely.  

We expect answers soon. Join us in demanding action. Is that too much to ask? 
 
In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION
Take Action to Stop Gun Violence
Yes, it happened again. And everyone in America knows it will continue to happen if nothing changes. Congress, we are watching and want to know: What are you going to do?
Take Action  ➤
Fully Repeal Unfair Social Security Penalties
Support the Social Security Fairness Act and the Social Security 2100 Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that deprive educators of benefits they have earned.
Take Action  ➤
Continue Flexibility for Free School Meals
Extend the USDA waivers that empower schools to make free, nutritious meals available to all students during these uncertain times. The waivers played a critical role in supporting school nutrition operations during the 2021–22 school year, according to the Food Research and Action Center.  
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS
CHEER: Reps. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Judy Chu (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Connor Lamb (D-PA), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) sent a letter urging Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to bring Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust (H.R. 5723) to the floor for a vote as soon as possible.

 

CHEER: Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) tweeted after meeting with some of our aspiring educators after a week of action advocating for S. 3171/H.R. 3244: “Great meeting with @NEAToday about my Teacher, Principal, & Leader Residency Access Act. This bill will equip more diverse, passionate educators with the hands-on teaching experience they need.”

Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction May 22, 2022

May 22, 2022 Leave a Comment

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

It’s been a week since domestic terrorism took the lives of 10 Black people and injured three others shopping for groceries in Buffalo, New York—a hate-filled crime all too familiar to Americans. Three of the victims were NYSUT/NEA members. 

The gunman revealed his motivation in a 180-page manifesto published on the internet: the racist “great replacement theory” promulgated by some hard-right politicians and talking heads. This hateful ideology has led to attacks elsewhere, including Charlottesville amid chants of “Jews will not replace us.” Well-armed white men have murdered Black people in their churches, Latino immigrants out shopping, and Jewish congregants in synagogues. 

Meanwhile, state legislatures continue their efforts to prevent honest education and deny our children the freedom to learn and be themselves.

Last week, NEA member Willie Carver, 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, testified before a House subcommittee about the disastrous impact of restricting discussion of LGBTQ+ issues and punishing teachers who discuss them.  

“Political attacks are exacerbating teacher shortages, harming our democracy and, above all, hurting our children,” he said. “We need you to pass the Equality Act, to make discrimination against LGBTQ people illegal. We need you to pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act, to protect all students from harassment.”

We also need Congress to pass common-sense measures, supported by most Americans, to help prevent future gun violence.  

In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION
Pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act
The targeting and massacre of 10 Black people in a Buffalo supermarket underscores the urgent need for federal action to prevent hate-fueled domestic terrorism.
Take Action  ➤
Fully Repeal Unfair Social Security Penalties
Support the Social Security Fairness Act and the Social Security 2100 Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that deprive educators of benefits they have earned.
Take Action  ➤
Continue Flexibility for Free School Meals
Extend the USDA waivers that empower schools to make free, nutritious meals available to all students during these uncertain times.   
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS
CHEER: Members of the House Education and Labor Committee voted to advance the Rebuild America’s Schools Act (H.R. 604), Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act (H.R. 5407), Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act (H.R. 6493), and Mental Health Matters Act (H.R. 7780).
 
JEER: Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) offered an amendment to strike out all mentions of LGBTQ+ students from a student mental health bill during a markup in the House Education and Labor Committee.
 
JEER: Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Student Loan Accountability Act to prevent canceling or forgiving any balances of covered loans.
 

Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction May 15th 2022

May 16, 2022 Leave a Comment

 
 

During a roundtable discussion earlier this month, two NEA members told Education Secretary Miguel Cardona what fixing the badly broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program has meant to them.   

“I opened the letter and it said zero. And I said ‘noooo,’” recounted Jamie Walker-Sallis, an equity innovator in Davenport, Iowa, public schools. “I went over to my computer to double-check online, and it said zero! I was like, ‘is this real?’ I couldn’t believe it. I mean, I hadn’t owed a little bit. It was just shy of $100,000.”

“For 10 years, I held my breath,” said Greg Cechak, a sixth-grade teacher in Pennsylvania. He finally got relief in January, when he learned that more than $39,000 of his student debt had been forgiven. 

Since October, the Department of Education has approved $6.8 billion in loan forgiveness for 113,000 borrowers—and the number continues to grow. In contrast, the Trump/DeVos administration denied 98 percent of the applications filed and forgave just 16,000 borrowers in four years. 

Last week, for the first time in more than two years, members of NEA’s Board of Directors came to Washington and met face-to-face with senators, representatives, and their staffs. They pushed for action on two additional issues of great importance to our members: the educator shortage and the need to protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying and harassment. 

In solidarity, 

Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

 
FEATURED ACTION
 
Fairness for Pregnant Workers
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.
Take Action  ➤

 

 
Expand Full-Service Community Schools
Reimagine public schools as community hubs committed to meeting the needs of the whole child with integrated support services, expanded and enriched learning opportunities, and family and community engagement.
Take Action  ➤

 

 
Fund Programs to Produce a Diverse Educator Workforce
Programs to address the educator shortage and diversify the profession should be part of any budget agreement Congress passes.  
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS

 

 
CHEER: Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) introduced the Babies over Billionaires Act (H.R. 7502) to help ensure that the wealthiest Americans pay their fair of taxes. It would, among other things, 
treat the growth in a person’s stock and other assets as taxable income each year—similar  to the way wages are taxed. 
 

 

 
CHEER: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) introduced the Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act (H.R. 7706), which would reform the judicial recusal process, impose a code of conduct on the Supreme Court, and ban federal judges from owning individual stock.  
 

Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction May 8 2022

May 8, 2022 Leave a Comment

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

This week, for the first time in more than two years, members of NEA’s Board of Directors will go to Capitol Hill and meet face-to-face with senators, representatives, and their staffs. They will be pushing for action on two issues of great importance to our members: the educator shortage and the need to protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying and harassment.

Meanwhile, we are preparing for the release of Supreme Court rulings on controversial cases with far-reaching implications not just for students and educators, but all Americans. A leaked ruling that made headlines last week would overturn Roe v. Wade—described as “settled law” by several justices, under oath, during their confirmation hearings.

NEA advocates for the rights of our members—78 percent of whom are women—and that includes their reproductive freedom.

NEA President Becky Pringle tweeted, “Today many of us are scared, worried, angry. I see you. I hear you. And I am with you. NEA has a long, clear history of advocating for our members—for their rights and freedoms—and we won’t stop now. Their reproductive health decisions should be theirs to make.”

Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed that the leaked ruling is authentic, but cautioned that the final version could differ. It is expected to be released in late June or early July, when the court concludes its current term.

In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION
Invest in Public Education
President Biden’s FY2023 budget proposal is a statement of values that we share. It would make historic investments in the students most in need through $36.5 billion in Title I funding, $16.3 billion in IDEA state grants, and $468 million in full-service community schools.
Take Action  ➤
Co-sponsor the Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act
This bipartisan bill can help address the educator shortage—critical even before the pandemic—by making programs that offer on-the-job experience more accessible and affordable.
Take Action  ➤
Support the Safe Schools Improvement Act
Students must feel safe in school to be curious, engaged learners, but this is not the reality for many LGBTQ+ students. This bill would help give those students the sense of security they deserve.
Take Action  ➤
 
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Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction May 1st 2022

May 1, 2022 Leave a Comment

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

Congress returned from recess this week and began work on the FY2023 appropriations process. President Biden’s budget proposal, released about a month ago, is a good start. But like most presidential budgets, it is as much a statement of values as a call to action. 

The hard part lies ahead. Spending levels are supposed to be set by Oct. 1, when the fiscal year begins. That hasn’t happened in recent years, however. Spending levels were frozen at the previous year’s levels until mid-March, when this year’s budget was finally approved. 

Teacher Appreciation Week starts tomorrow. Now more than ever, it is fitting that we celebrate educators and their unwavering fortitude, creativity, and love for students. Text CELEBRATE to 48744 to get texts all week long—reminders of how special both you and your profession are.
Next week, NEA’s Board of Directors is gathering in Washington, DC for its first in-person meeting in more than two years. Join them in urging your elected representatives to support the Safe Schools Improvement Act. 

In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION
Still paying off student loans?
You may be eligible for public service loan forgiveness. Register for a briefing with NEA and Department of Education student debt experts on May 3 at 7 p.m.
Take Action  ➤
Ensure No Child Goes Hungry
Extend the USDA waivers that empower schools to make free, nutritious meals available to all students during these uncertain times. 
Take Action  ➤
Support the Safe Schools Improvement Act
Students must feel safe in school to be curious, engaged learners, but this is not the reality for many LGBTQ+ students. This bill would help give those students the sense of security they deserve.
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS
CHEER: Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) is leading a congressional sign-on letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to support the expansion of Pell grants and TRIO program eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented students. 
CHEER: Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) introduced the STOP Violence Act (H.R. 7541) and the Safe Workplaces Act (H.R. 7540) to help prevent mass shootings and provide resources to victims, especially workers, who survive. 
CHEER: Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) introduced the Help for Healing Communities Act (H.R. 7537), which would establish a grant program for eligible entities to provide community-based mental health services in communities in which an active shooter event or incident of targeted violence occurred.
CHEER: Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) introduced the Prioritizing Resources for Victims of Firearm Violence Act (H.R. 7533) to ensure that states allocate at least 10 percent of Victims of Crime Act funding to programs that provide mental health services to victims of firearm violence.
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NEA - National Education Association

Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction April 24 2022

April 24, 2022 Leave a Comment

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National Education Association
EdAction in Congress

I was thrilled to hear that the Biden-Harris administration is taking further action to fix the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This week, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona announced a series of administrative changes that will result in immediate debt cancellation for at least 40,000 borrowers under PSLF. Thousands more will receive forgiveness through income-driven repayment (IDR).

Under Cardona, the U.S. Department of Education has already approved $6.8 billion for more than 113,000 public servants through improvements to PSLF. Under his predecessor, Betsy DeVos, the department denied 98 percent of PSLF applications and forgave just 16,000 borrowers.

The numbers tell the story: In stark contrast to the previous administration, the Biden-Harris administration sees, hears, and values educators.

In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION
Invest in Public Education
President Biden’s FY2023 budget proposal is a statement of values that we share. It would make historic investments in the students most in need through $36.5 billion in Title I funding, $16.3 billion in IDEA state grants, and $468 million in full-service community schools.
Take Action  ➤
Provide Mental Health Services in Schools
Before the pandemic, 1 in 5 children had a mental disorder, but only about 20 percent of them received care from a mental health provider, according to CDC data. The need has grown while mental health care is harder to get than ever.
Take Action  ➤
Corporations and the Wealthiest Need to Pay Their Fair Share
Last year, 55 of the nation’s largest corporations paid no federal income tax on $40.5 billion in profits. America’s wealthiest 1% got $4 trillion richer, capturing 35% of the extra wealth while the poorest half of the population got just 4%.
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS
CHEER: Reps. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) are leading a congressional sign-on letter urging an increase in funding for the National Labor Relations Board. 
CHEER: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona supporting proposed regulations that would introduce greater accountability and transparency in the charter schools program and protect against financial risks posed by for-profit charter schools. 
CHEER: Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Jim Baird (R-IN) introduced the PSLF Payment Completion Fairness Act (H.R. 7455) to simplify the process of receiving loan forgiveness, improve the applicant success rate, and encourage people to enter public service. Applicants would no longer be required to be employed in public service at the time they receive PSLF. 
CHEER: Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) is leading a congressional sign-on letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to prohibit the use of federal funds for the apprehension, detention, or deportation of children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
CHEER: Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) is leading a congressional sign-on letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to invest $100 million in the citizenship and integration grant program in FY2023.
CHEER: Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) is leading a congressional sign-on letter supporting President Biden’s FY2023 budget proposal and the inclusion of $913 million in discretionary funding for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 
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Filed Under: NEA Updates

NEA EdAction April 10 2022

April 10, 2022 Leave a Comment

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EdAction in Congress

We had two big wins in the run up to a two-week congressional recess: The Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic nomination to the Supreme Court and President Biden extended the pause on student loan payments through the end of August. 

Your voices and advocacy played an important role in these victories. I thank you for all that you have done—and urge you to keep it up.

In addition, several of our amazing “aspiring educators” met virtually with their senators and representatives. Among other things, they discussed solutions to the educator shortage like the Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act. 

NEA member Samantha Hull, a school librarian in central Pennsylvania, testified before a House subcommittee on the wrongheadedness of book bans and censorship. As you and I know, this is an intentional distraction—an effort by some politicians to avoid addressing the issues that parents, students, and educators actually care about. 

“I recently asked my five-year-old son why books are important,” Samantha Hull testified. “Here is what he told me: ‘The books are important because they help me learn because I can see new words, I can meet new people and I can go to places I haven’t been. They teach us to solve problems.’”  

Like the little boy who proclaimed that the emperor wore no clothes, he spoke the truth. These politicians are not protecting children, as they claim. They are trying to whitewash our nation’s history—to erase the names, faces, and stories comprising the fabric of America. But we won’t let them!

In solidarity, 

"Marc Egan" written as a signature
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association

FEATURED ACTION
Co-sponsor the Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act
This bipartisan bill can help address the educator shortage—critical even before the pandemic—by making programs that offer on-the-job experience more accessible and affordable. 
Take Action  ➤
End Federal Funding for Corporate Charter Schools
Email the U.S. Department of Education to advocate for the end of corporate charter schools and to support accountability and transparency for all schools taking our tax dollars.  
Take Action  ➤
Ensure No Child Goes Hungry
Extend the USDA waivers that empower schools to make free, nutritious meals available to all students during these uncertain times. 
Take Action  ➤
THIS WEEK’S JEERS AND CHEERS
CHEER: Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined all 50 Democratic senators in voting to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
CHEER: The Biden administration extended the moratorium on student loan payments and interest accrual through August 31.  
CHEER: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) introduced the Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2022, which would increase the current $250 deduction to $1,000 and index it to inflation.
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Filed Under: NEA Updates

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