A freshman member in the 117th Congress, Congresswoman Marie Newman represents Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, which covers the Southwest Side of Chicago as well as its surrounding suburbs. A lifelong advocate for growing small businesses, protecting health care rights, strengthening our infrastructure and building a greener economy, Congresswoman Newman is the first woman in history to represent Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. In Congress, she currently serves on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, House Committee on Small Business, Congressional Labor Caucus, House Democratic Manufacturing Working Group, Democratic Women’s Caucus and as the Vice Chair of Communications for the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC).
“When we invest in education, we invest in a brighter future for our children and our entire country. That is why we must ensure that high-quality education is accessible to all American students, regardless of their zip code. Whether it’s through local trades programs, community colleges or four-year universities, we owe it to our next generation to ensure they have the opportunity and resources they need to lead them to good-paying jobs in America.” – Congresswoman Marie Newman
COVID-19 Recovery
In March 2021, Congresswoman Newman voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, which invests more than $127 million into school districts across IL-03 to provide them with the resources and supports to re-open schools safely for in-person learning. On top of this funding, the Plan also invested $1.8 billion in the 638 schools in Chicago Public Schools. The American Rescue Plan also made more than $36 million in emergency grants available to institutions of higher education to provide emergency financial aid to millions of students and ensure learning continued through COVID-19.
Mental Health Services in Schools
Congresswoman Newman is a cosponsor of the Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act, which would strengthen the school-based mental health professional workforce, especially in lower-income school districts. She also helped pass the Mental Health Services for Students Act which would expand existing programs to provide on-site licensed mental health professionals in schools across the country.
Higher Education Affordability and Student Debt Relief
Congresswoman Newman is a cosponsor of the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021, which would double the value of the Pell Grant and make it more flexible and accessible to allow Dreamers to access Pell Grants. She also supports cancelling up to $50,000 in student loan debt for federal student loan borrowers and is a cosponsor of the resolution outlining a plan for the President to tackle the student loan debt crisis. Currently, more than 43 million Americans have student debt.
Investing in CTE Programs and Pathways
To ensure students have a pathway to union employment and well-paying jobs in a consistent industry after graduation, Congresswoman Newman is also working with local high schools, community colleges and universities to implement trades and apprenticeship programs. In May 2021, she introduced the Supporting Small Business and Career and Technical Education Act as part of an effort to encourage more Americans to pursue Career and Technical Education paths and to consider the financial obligations that come with a 4-year degree.