As a nation, we must ensure that every child, regardless of their zip code or income, has access to a high-quality education that prepares them to succeed in today's increasingly competitive world. This will require the U.S. to invest in the necessary resources and make the proper structural reforms that will result in a more successful education system. We should empower parents and teachers to make decisions that are the best fit for their children's needs in their local school districts, rather than leaving these decisions to bureaucrats 1,000 miles away in Washington, D.C.

Congress must expand accessibility and reduce the cost of higher education in order to close the skills gap that is costing our economy thousands of jobs. Americans owe about $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, which is spread among nearly 44 million borrowers and is now the second highest form of household debt. The average college graduate from the class of 2016 has over $37,000 in student loan debt, setting them back as they try to begin their career. We must work not only to relieve the burden of student loan debt, but also get the actual cost of college under control.

As I travel Wisconsin's 8th District, I am constantly told by employers that they cannot find workers with the skills needed to produce their products or provide their services. We need to invest in certification programs, apprenticeships, and technical schools that will provide these skills to help our economy thrive. In Congress I'm working toward strengthening both our K-12 and postsecondary education system by supporting legislation that returns greater authority from federal bureaucrats to our state and local governments.