Lloyd Smucker wants to reignite the American Dream. He believes this can be achieved by working to increase economic opportunity for everyone, reining in Washington’s out-of-control spending, and providing regulatory relief to small businesses so they can expand and create jobs.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Rep. Smucker owned and operated the Smucker Company for 25 years, and grew the small business to eventually employ more than 150 people.
He served two terms in the Pennsylvania State Senate where he chaired the Committee on Education. In that capacity, he pioneered reforms to increase accountability in education spending and worked to ensure Pennsylvania students had access to quality education. Rep. Smucker led the charge to hold elected officials accountable by proposing reforms to the ethics guidelines. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he made it a priority to rein in spending and built a reputation as an independent-minded conservative who seeks creative solutions to complex problems.
The Promise of Postsecondary Education is Broken
Americans have invested billions of dollars and countless hours of hard work into higher education in an effort to earn a better job and live a fulfilling life. Unfortunately, today's chaotic maze of federal aid programs, requirements, and red tape has driven up college costs and made pursuing and finishing a postsecondary education unworkable for far too many individuals. We are failing the next generation at a time when more businesses are demanding their employees attain postsecondary credentials to fill technical, high-skill, good-paying jobs. Americans deserve a better postsecondary education system that works for them.
The Committee on Education and the Workforce's Higher Education Act reforms support students in completing an affordable postsecondary education that will prepare them to enter the workforce with the skills they need for lifelong success.
Our commonsense proposal will transform the college marketplace by promoting innovation, access, and completion; simplifying and improving student aid; empowering students and families to make informed decisions; and ensuring strong accountability and a limited federal role.