Bonamici Elected to Lead Democrats on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee

WASHINGTON D.C. [1/16/25] — This week House Education and Workforce Democrats elected Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to serve as Ranking Member on the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee. Bonamici will also serve on the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee.

“My passion for strengthening public education inspired me to enter public service,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “I'm grateful that I will continue serving as the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. In this time of political division I am hopeful that we can find areas of bipartisan compromise, like advancing my bipartisan FACTS Act to protect students from accidental fentanyl overdoses. But I remain deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on public education, and I will continue to stand up for all students and the local schools they attend. Last Congress I led the response to House Republicans’ disingenuous work around parental involvement by introducing the Bill of Rights for Students and Families. Instead of attacking our nation’s teachers, banning books, and rewriting history, my resolution expresses support for developing inclusive, safe, and responsive public schools that provide all students with a well-rounded education and foster meaningful family engagement in education. I also led efforts to protect the rights of LGBTQI+ students and others who are too often marginalized. As Ranking Member I will strive to advance bipartisan policies when we can, but I will never abandon the many policies that will create a brighter future for students in Oregon and around the country.   

“I also remain committed to opening more doors to opportunity so more people can afford higher education and access workforce training programs that fit their needs. For years I have worked on affordability, leading efforts to streamline income-driven loan repayment, crack down on fraudulent lenders, update the Federal Work Study Program, and more. There is much more that can be done to support people pursuing workforce training programs and I am hopeful we can continue to see bipartisan success in this area. I’m ready to get to work.”  

Bonamici has been a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee since 2013. She is a Co-Chair of the Pre-K, Child Care, CTE, Apprenticeship, and STEAM Caucuses.

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