Congressman Don Beyer is serving his fourth term as the U.S. Representative from Virginia’s 8th District, representing Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and parts of Fairfax County. He serves as the Chairman of Congress' Joint Economic Committee, and also serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, and on the House Committee on Science Space and Technology, where he chairs the Space Subcommittee. He is a Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition's Climate Change Task Force.
He was the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1998, and was Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein under President Obama. Rep. Beyer’s signature work as lieutenant governor included advocacy for Virginians with disabilities and ensuring protections for Virginia’s most vulnerable populations as the Commonwealth reformed its welfare system in the mid-1990s. Rep. Beyer was Virginia’s Democratic nominee for governor in 1997.
In Congress, I am committed to protecting and strengthening our public schools and supporting our educators. I believe that a quality education is measured in more than just test scores. We must ensure that teachers have the supports they need and the flexibility to be creative and are not stuck teaching to the test. I also believe that supporting our children’s education includes tracking student growth and maintaining a holistic education that includes physical fitness and arts education as well as access to after school programs. We also must maintain high standards in school nutrition and ensure that students still have access to meals in the summer.
I will continue to fight to uphold fundamental federal civil rights protections by advocating for robust federal funding for Title I and IDEA as well as ensuring that the Office of Civil Rights is working proactively with colleges and universities to address sexual assault. I oppose any initiative (like vouchers or “school choice”) that would undermine our public schools or re-segregate our society. Schools are not a marketplace; we need all of our schools to be successful so that regardless of what school our children attend they have access to a quality education.
I believe we must do more to address student loan debt, college affordability, and create successful post-secondary pathways that recognize career and technical education. I am a strong supporter of student loan refinancing, all-year access to Pell grants, allowing subsidized Stafford loans to graduate students, FAFSA application simplification, among many other initiatives that keep higher education accessible and affordable.