I was shocked to hear that Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), a great champion of students and educators, suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. I wish him well and a speedy recovery. Thankfully, he is expected to recover fully, but will be home in New Mexico for a while.
With the Senate split 50-50, every vote counts. Any absence, including when senators have been out because of COVID, impacts what does and does not advance. And of course, within a couple months is the expected confirmation of the successor to Justice Breyer, who is retiring from the Supreme Court.
President Biden announced he’ll nominate a Black woman, fulfilling a campaign promise. He aims to release her name before the month is out—a fitting “first” as February is Black History Month. Just 5 women (none Black) and 2 Black men have served as Supreme Court justices; 108 have been white men.
The significance of nominating a Black woman goes beyond conversations about historic firsts. We need a court whose lived experience reflects America, a court that gives voice to a range of views—especially on issues of enduring concern to educators.
This week, NEA’s Board of Directors will be lobbying Congress virtually. Join their push for a final FY2022 funding bill that addresses the toxic mix of chronic underfunding and growing educator shortages. Weigh in, too, on the need to strengthen Social Security and end GPO/WEP penalties for public service.
In solidarity,
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association
COVID and its aftermath have exacerbated inequities and accelerated growth in educator shortages—a recipe for disaster that can be avoided, but only if Congress acts quickly and decisively.
Expand Social Security benefits, ensure everyone pays their fair share of the payroll tax, and eliminate the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision.
CHEER: Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) reintroduced the Pell Grant Sustainability Act (H.R. 6537) to ensure federal resources for college students keep up with current costs by indexing Pell grants to inflation.
CHEER: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) applauded President Biden’s promise to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court. “The more our judges reflect our nation’s vibrancy and rich diversity, the more effectively they will be able to administer equal justice,” he said.
CHEER: Senate HELP Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) highlighted the mental health needs of students and educators at a Feb. 2 hearing on mental health.
CHEER: Reps. Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) reintroduced the Healthy Meal Time Act (H.R. 6526) to provide schools with best practices for scheduling lunch and recess to ensure that students have enough time to eat a balanced, nutritious meal and reduce food waste.
JEER: Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) declared President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee a “beneficiary” of affirmative action even though her identity is not yet known and every judge on the reported list is exceptionally qualified.
