Education
Additionally, Bonamici's focus has been on the College Affordability Act in an attempt to close the existing equity gap. One component is increasing diversity within the education workforce. Nationally, students of color make up the majority of U.S. public schools while only 20% of teachers are persons of color, according to Bonamici. "The role of the federal government in education is about promoting equity and making sure those opportunities are there for everyone," she said. "Safeguarding and expanding those educational opportunities and improving outcomes for all students."
In the last legislative session Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, D-Portland, introduced the Child Care is Essential Act to establish a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund to give grants to families and providers, but it stalled in the senate.
The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 defines states' responsibilities in setting up and running the program with annual federal funding and requires the federal departments of Education and Labor to support the creation and expansion of youth apprenticeships, college consortiums and data sharing. The bill is also led by Democratic Reps. Donald Norcross of New Jersey (D) and Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon as well as Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, David McKinley of West Virginia and Don Bacon of Nebraska.