Joaquin Castro: “For generations in America, we have seen that education is the surest path to success. That is why today I am…”

“For generations in America, we have seen that education is the surest path to success. That is why today I am introducing the Pre-K for USA Act. The Pre-K for USA Act allows local education agencies and governments to apply directly to the Federal Government for grants to develop and expand high-quality pre-K programs. Cities and school districts need to have the ability to step up to the plate and pick up the slack where their State governments are failing. Unfortunately, in my home State of Texas, as is the case in other States, legislatures have curtailed their investment in education. Instead, they have picked up the troubling practice of pretending to balance budgets by slashing early childhood education funds. I call on my colleagues to support the Pre-K for USA Act and get our country one step closer to ensuring that all American children have the opportunity to get ahead in life, achieve their dreams, and boost our Nation's prosperity. ____________________”