Bonamici Supports Robust Economic Plan to Prepare Students and Workers for the 21st Century

WASHINGTON, DC [04/27/18] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, a leader on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, made the following statement on Congressional Democrats' economic agenda, A Better Deal: Tools to Succeed in the 21st Century. The campaign focuses on Democrats' commitment to investing in education and America's workers.

Tools to Succeed in the 21st Century will strengthen education with increased investments in STEAM education programs in public schools, by encouraging work-based learning programs to match workers with the skills they need, and by making higher education options affordable and accessible.

"I hear from many hard-working Oregonians who feel left behind in our economy," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "More economic opportunities will help working families in Oregon and across the country get better jobs and get ahead. Workers too often lack the skills they need to compete for available jobs. Democrats in Congress have an agenda that will get more people back to work and meet the demands of our local employers. Instead of giving tax breaks to wealthy individuals and massive corporations, we should be investing in our workers through paid, on-the-job training programs and making college and credentialing programs accessible and affordable for working families.

"Additionally STEAM, incorporating arts and design into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education, will help today's students be creative thinkers who are ready to tackle our most challenging problems."

Bonamici is the co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts, broadly defined, with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math curriculum and activities. STEAM education helps to develop the creativity and critical thinking skills needed in our innovation economy. The group hosts briefings and advocates for policy changes that will encourage educators to adopt STEAM.

As Vice Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Bonamici is a steadfast advocate for students and workers. In October, she introduced bipartisan legislation to boost apprenticeships and work-based learning programs to help close the skills gap between businesses struggling to find workers with appropriate skills and workers without meaningful pathways to better paying jobs.