Press Releases

 Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) delivered the following statement, as prepared for delivery, at a markup of three bills to strengthen charter schools, expand educational opportunity, and protect professional boxers:

"This morning, we are marking up three bills. Taken together, these bills will help children get an excellent education, equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace, and enhance the welfare of boxers while safeguarding their ability to pursue professional opportunities. 
 
"We’ll begin with two bills that expand access to charter schools. 
 
"Every student deserves a high-quality education that prepares him or her for success later in life. Charter schools provide these opportunities. Stanford’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes found that charter school students, on average, learned the equivalent of an additional six days per year in math and 16 additional days in reading. Academic achievement is especially pronounced for at-risk students. Students in poverty achieve an additional 23 days of learning in reading and 17 days in math.
 
"These results are remarkable, and we want to make it easier for students to get an education like this. A vital support for charter schools is the federal Charter School Program (CSP). This program ensures that charter schools have the capital they need to access facilities, start and expand new schools, and obtain the technical assistance needed to succeed. 
 
"Unfortunately, existing CSP code is lengthy, approximately 8,000 words, and contains myriad paperwork requirements. The net effect is increased bureaucracy and making CSP funds harder to access for charter school operators. 
 
"Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s H.R. 7082, FLEX Act, would help fix this problem. This bill is premised on a simple idea: Charter schools should be able to focus on what they do best – educating children – not bureaucratic compliance exercises. The bill clarifies that CSP funds can be used to expand programs within existing charter schools, creates flexibility around which CSP sub-program receives funding each year, and slashes red tape that stifles charter school innovation.
 
"The other education bill we’re marking up will improve the facilities subprogram within CSP. Charter schools often struggle to access the facilities they need. For example, unlike charter schools, traditional public schools can raise money for facilities through municipal bonds. Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s bipartisan Equitable Access to School Facilities Act, H.R. 7086, would strengthen the facilities section of the CSP by simplifying program requirements, opening the program to 23 more states, and incentivizing states to adopt policies that support charter school growth so more students can be served.
 
"These are straightforward, common-sense reforms to make a good program even better.
 
"Neither of these bills authorizes more spending or more federal government interference. Nor do they defund traditional public schools.
 
"Instead, these bills make it easier for charter schools to access more resources and expand to serve more students. Those are worthwhile goals. I’m proud to support the charter school sector, and this Committee is dedicated to making sure charter schools can succeed. 
 
"The third bill we’ll consider this morning is H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, introduced by Representative Brian Jack. This bipartisan bill would create an alternative system in boxing by permitting the formation of Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs) alongside the sport’s existing sanctioning bodies, giving fighters more choice in how they compete. 
 
"For boxers fighting within UBOs, the bill would strengthen their health and safety protections. This bill also extends additional safety and wage protections for all boxers, regardless of whether they fight inside or outside of a UBO. In short, the bill is designed to give boxers more options, better pay, and stronger safety protections, while encouraging the growth and modernization of this historic sport.
 
"These bills are key to ensuring that students have access to the education they need and that boxers have improved protections and support as they pursue their careers. This Committee is steadfast in protecting students and workers, and we will do everything in our power to ensure everyone has a fair chance at success in both school and career."

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