There is no higher calling for government than to help its people reach their God-given potential, and there are few better ways to do that than to ensure that all our children receive a quality education. Educational opportunities must begin earlier and continue later in life by prioritizing a pre-K year, affordable and accessible college education and vocational training, and the lifelong skills training required to ensure American workers remain competitive in the global economy. Here are some of the ways I have fought for quality, affordable education for Virginians in Congress:

• Introduced a $2,500 tax credit for college and commuity college education that could apply to expenses like textbooks for the first time. I’m proud to say this was the first bill I wrote that was passed into law as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• Introduced an amendment, which was passed into law, that would ensure disparities between urban and rural areas are addressed in early childhood education
• Introduced a bill which would establish a national advisory committee on rural education within the Department of Education