Education is not only the right of every child; it is the cornerstone of America’s economic future. It is a simple fact that nations who out-educate us now will out-compete us in the future. Now more than ever, we must commit to our national education system by investing in our public K-12 schools. Congress can help drive innovation and provide the robust resources that give every child the opportunity to receive a high-quality education, regardless of their ZIP code.

I am proud to support federal investments like Head Start, as well as a proposed package of robust funding for our youngest students, including a federal-state partnership to help get more students into pre-K classrooms and extend vital early childhood education opportunities to more families. Additionally, Title I funds provide a critical investment that helps even the playing field for schools that serve low-income families.

As a Floridian and a mother of three students who attended Broward County public schools, I understand that we must continue to ensure that our schools have the funding to retain top-notch teachers and provide our children with the resources they need to succeed. Teachers are our best resource for our kids, and they can and must be brought in as partners as we move our nation’s education policy forward. Teachers must be treated as the professionals they are, and with the respect, resources, and compensation they deserve.

I am committed to working with my colleagues in the House and with the President to provide a high-quality education to all of America’s students, creating a nation prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.