Education
Education is a gateway to equality, prosperity, and a better quality of life. I’m proud to continue my work in Congress to ensure a quality education for all residents of District 19, regardless of their background, identity, or economic status.
Many young people in California’s 19th Congressional District and across the country are experiencing growing social pressures and academic stressors. I’m proud to fight for the federal support our community needs to address this crisis head-on, bolster mental health resources in our schools, and empower our young people to reach their fullest potential. I recently secured $1 million in federal funding to help Santa Cruz County expand services for students through two new school-based wellness centers. And as part of the landmark Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, I helped pass more than $2 billion to expand mental health services in schools nationwide.
As a member of the Mental Health Caucus, I lead the annual effort to provide federal support for mental health professionals in schools, and I continue working across the aisle to secure $214 million in federal funding to increase the number of well-trained school counselors, social workers, and psychologists, or other mental health professionals. I’m proud to author and lead the bipartisan National School Psychology Week resolution, which honors the more than 35,000 practicing school psychologists in the country providing a supportive and encouraging learning environment for all students.
We need to ensure that no one is held back from pursuing higher education or career opportunities. That’s why I recently secured over $1.5 million in community project funding to construct an expanded childcare center as part of Cabrillo College’s comprehensive housing project and support services for low-income students. This funding, in addition to my work to expand Head Start programs, is essential to providing our children with a strong foundation for success and parents with additional support.
To combat financial barriers to public colleges and universities, I authored core provisions of the College Affordability Act, which simplifies the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for student borrowers and encourages students to pursue careers in public service. This same bill provides a comprehensive overhaul of the higher education system, implementing the largest funding increase in the history of the Pell Grant program.
Additionally, I recently re-introduced the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act as a part of the College Cost Reduction Act. This bipartisan legislation takes an important step forward in ensuring the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) makes appropriate exemptions for family farmers and small business owners, expanding academic opportunities for entrepreneurial families.
Furthermore, I believe supporting education in the STEM and tech sectors is essential to the growth of our economy. I have been working with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure a thriving and equitable future for students in STEM. As a hub for research and innovation, I continue to advocate strongly for the federal investment needed to continue that leadership in science and technology.
By focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, I will continue to push essential legislation that will expand educational opportunities for students across the board.
For more information concerning my work and views related to Education, please contact our office.
More on Education
Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined his House Democratic colleagues demanding that the Trump Administration immediately release nearly $7 billion in congressionally approved federal education funding that is currently being withheld from schools across the nation, including nearly $928 million from California.
I hope that you can join me on Wednesday, July 9th, at 12:00 PM for another one of my town halls, this time in Paso Robles at Centennial Park located at 600 Nickerson Drive.
On Tuesday, July 8th at 5:00 PM, I’m hosting a telephone town hall to discuss what this law means for our community and country, and particularly its impact on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
Join the discussion and participate by either:
Monterey, CA – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced the Fluent Forces Act, bipartisan legislation to protect and strengthen language training at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) in Monterey.
Monterey, CA – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced his 2025 nominations of six outstanding high school students to the United States Service Academies.
Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced the winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition held for local high school students.
Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement on the Administration’s first 100 days in office:
Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) convened a roundtable discussion with leaders, professors, and researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) to hear firsthand how the ongoing federal funding freeze is undermining scientific progress, educational opportunities, and workforce development in California’s 19th Congressional District and beyond.
Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement on his vote against the majority’s partisan government funding continuing resolution:
Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) released the following statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.