Education
I firmly believe that education is the incubator of American innovation, prosperity, and economic equality. I have consistently advocated for programs such as Title I, Head Start, migrant education, and tutoring and mentoring for first-year college students.
Americans hold $1.6 trillion in student debt. I’m one of them. I am a cosponsor of the College Affordability Act, a comprehensive overhaul of higher education that lowers the cost of college, improves the quality of higher education, and expands opportunity for students from all backgrounds.
I also cosponsored the Basic Assistance for Students In College (BASIC) Act, legislation to ensure that college students—particularly those receiving Pell Grants or attending a community college or minority-serving institution—are able to afford basic, day-to-day necessities.
I will continue to support year-round Pell, streamlined student loan repayment processes, and student loan forgiveness for public service.
Understanding the significant challenges servicemembers face when they transition out of the military, I introduced legislation to help establish Veterans Resource Centers at public institutions of higher education. I want to ensure our veterans feel empowered and confident when they are trying to advance their careers through education, and these Veterans Resource Centers will be another booster for veterans. These centers will offer veterans a place to share ideas and advice, as well as professionally and personally network to lay a powerful foundation for their civilian careers.
Additionally, I am working closely with a number of Members from House Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committees to better service our men and women in uniform. Through accurate and actionable legislative work we can reduce the barriers to our military members from progressing in their higher education.
For more information concerning my work and views related to Education, please contact our office.
More on Education
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA) re-introduced the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Modernization Act to simplify and modernize federal student loan forgiveness programs. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has previously found major deficiencies in the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) administration of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF) program.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that UC Santa Cruz will receive $729,309 in federal grant funding to aid the institution’s research on circadian sleep rhythms in microscopic organisms and humans. The circadian rhythm is the internally driven cycle that help organisms fall asleep and wake up during the 24-hour cycle.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the introduction of the Defense Language Improvement (DLI) Act. The legislation authorizes the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) to grant a Bachelor of Arts degree in foreign language to any graduate who fulfills the degree requirements. Currently, DLIFLC may confer an Associate of Arts degree in a foreign language.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that UC Santa Cruz will receive a $625,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. The federal funding will be used to research the impacts of decision making by artificial intelligence. The NSF federally funds research and education in science and engineering, through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Congressman Panetta secured $8.5 billion, an increase of $208.4 million, for the NSF in this the FY2021 appropriations package passed at the end of 2020.
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter calling on the Department of Education (DOE) to ensure federal funds are properly allocated to meet the needs of students experiencing homelessness. Congress’ most recent COVID relief bill includes language urging DOE to effectively use funds reserved for students experiencing homelessness under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Congressman Panetta is joined by Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Rep. Danny K. Davis (D, IL-07), Rep.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) commended the House passage of a bipartisan $1.4 trillion FY2021 Omnibus spending package. The FY2021 Omnibus funding measure includes appropriated funding for COVID relief, veterans’ healthcare, clean energy, and more. The spending package also addresses expiring tax provisions for small businesses such as Central Coast wineries, families, and clean energy. The Omnibus will now go to the Senate fo
This week, the bipartisan Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act authored by Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-GA) passed the House of Representatives unanimously. H.R. 3539 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices for the establishment and use of behavioral intervention in schools.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced $599,867 in grant funding that will benefit UC Santa Cruz and CSU Monterey Bay students. The funding will be used for the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Program to help Latino UCSC and CSUMB students prepare for and succeed in graduate programs.
Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the distribution of over $1 million in federal government grants for CSU Monterey Bay. The University was awarded $1,306,400 grant funding under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP Partnership) Program. This grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the distribution of over $1 million in federal government grants for UC Santa Cruz research programs. The University was awarded a $736,839 grant for human genome research in addition to a $308,000 grant to improve its Xena program on cancer genomics research.