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Below, please find a statement from America Forward in response to the House Education and Labor Committee budget reconciliation bill, introduced by Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) yesterday:

“As we said when it was first released publicly earlier this year, President Biden’s ‘American Rescue Plan’ ‘would direct substantial and much-needed resources’ to America’s education system. 

We are deeply encouraged that the House Education and Labor Committee budget reconciliation bill text, introduced yesterday by Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) to enact the ‘American Rescue Plan,’ would carry forward this robust investment in our nation’s students, educators, and school communities. The proposed legislation would dedicate billions to support institutions of higher education, strengthen child care providers, expand national service programs, and ensure critical food assistance for families. In particular, we applaud the inclusion of language requiring that a significant percentage of the $130 billion allocated for safe school reopening be used to support evidence-based, holistic strategies that meet the needs of the whole learner and address the academic, social, and emotional impact of the pandemic.

America Forward, our Coalition organizations, and partners have long advocated for educational approaches that reflect a comprehensive view of healthy learning and development, and the need for holistic supports has only been reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are glad to see the Committee place an intentional emphasis on evidence-based, whole-learner approaches – among their many other priorities – and we urge lawmakers to maintain that focus throughout the negotiating process.”