Last week, we witnessed—if briefly—moments of unity as President Biden delivered his first official State of the Union address to members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, military leaders, and special guests of the First Lady gathered in the House chamber. Republicans and Democrats alike stood and applauded the response of America and our allies to the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russian President Putin.
Like so many people around the world, I have been amazed and inspired by the Ukrainian people’s fight to preserve their democracy. At the same time, it underscores for me that freedom can be tenuous when authoritarianism threatens.
During his speech, President Biden also unveiled plans to take on the mental health crisis that include expanding services for students. We look forward to learning more.
This week, I expect Congress to release details of the bill funding the federal government for the rest of FY2022. To keep the Department of Education and other agencies running without interruption, Congress must pass the bill—or another extension—by March 11, when the current stopgap measure expires.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, has begun in-person meetings with senators, including leadership and the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her confirmation hearing is set to start March 21. The Democratic majority is aiming for a floor vote before the spring recess that begins on April 11.
In solidarity,
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association
Since taking office, President Biden has scored major wins for students and educators, from reopening schools safely, to addressing inequities exacerbated by the pandemic, to overseeing a historic reinvestment in public education.
CHEER: Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) invited NEA member Erin Moran, an English teacher at Cajon High School in San Bernardino, to be his virtual guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address.
CHEER: Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) invited a union bus driver to be his virtual guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address.
CHEER: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced the Amir Locke End Deadly No-Knock Warrants Act (H.R. 6877), which would limit the use of no-knock warrants in drug-related investigations and ban quick-knock warrants, night-time warrants, and the use of flash-bang stun grenades, other explosive devices, chemical weapons, and military-grade firearms.
JEER: 188 Republicans voted against advancing the CROWN Act (H.R. 2116) to address discrimination that targets students of African descent based on “natural” or “protective” hairstyles, such as cornrows, twists, and braids.
