On the recordMay 5, 2025
As we recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week, I rise today to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to every teacher in northwest Indiana and across our Nation who shows up every day with enthusiasm and positivity to prepare our next generation of leaders. As a Member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I will do my very best to stand with teachers and support their selfless efforts by providing appropriate direction, oversight, and funds through the Federal programs. While we are here in the beginning days of May, we should have a full budget proposal from the administration and be holding hearings in our respective subcommittees from agency leaders and defend the details of their budget requests. Instead, we find ourselves today with a four-page skinny budget and an executive order that proposes to dismantle the Department of Education. This is more than a budget cut. This is a direct hit on our classrooms, our children, and our future. Eliminating title I funding would mean over 600 teachers gone in northwest Indiana and critical support needs and programs hanging by a thread. During Teacher Appreciation Week, let's be clear. Appreciation isn't just a thank-you. It is action. Mr. Speaker, I will fight with everything I have to ensure that our educators get the respect, resources, and support that they deserve to keep doing the life-changing work that they do every single day. ____________________
